Hanggu Ihang, Research Fellow at Korea Automobile Research Institute, "Urgent Need for Future Car Experts Training and Institutional Collaboration"

Research Fellow Lee Hang-gu of the Korea Automotive Technology Institute gave a special lecture on the theme "Current Status and Challenges of Gyeonggi-do's Future Car Parts Industry" as the fifth speaker of the "Time to Change Gyeonggi-do" (Gyeongbasi) held at the multipurpose hall of Gyeonggi Provincial Government on the 21st. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Government

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] A domestic automotive expert has diagnosed that the development of the future car industry, including electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles, requires the cultivation of specialized personnel and collaboration among related companies and institutions.

On the 21st, Gyeonggi Province held the fifth special lecture of the 'Opportunity Gyeonggi Innovation Forum - Gyeongbasi (Time to Change Gyeonggi Province) Season 1' under the theme 'Current Status and Tasks of Gyeonggi Province's Future Car Parts Industry' at the provincial government multipurpose conference room. The lecture was broadcast live through the province's official YouTube channel.

Lecturer Lee Hang-gu, a research fellow at the Korea Automotive Technology Institute and an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering at Hoseo University, is an expert who has researched various fields related to future cars, including electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and the operation of eco-friendly vehicle cooperation funds.

In his lecture, Research Fellow Lee explained, "The paradigm of the automotive industry is shifting from internal combustion engine personal driving to electric-powered autonomous vehicles," adding, "The main parts of future cars are changing from mechanical technology parts to electrical and electronic parts, and accordingly, the supply chain, ecosystem, and employment structure are changing."

Regarding trends in Korea's future car industry, he pointed out, "The quantitative growth of domestic automotive parts companies has been centered around Hyundai Motor affiliates, but due to sluggish research and development investment, companies with innovative capabilities account for only about 6% of parts companies employing more than 10 people," and "Most parts companies lack specialization and internationalization capabilities."

Regarding the status of automotive parts companies in Gyeonggi Province, he said, "Among 1,300 parts companies subject to external audits in 2021, 344 are located in Gyeonggi Province, and the number of R&D personnel has increased significantly from 1,152 in 2011 to 3,404 in 2021. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies and software (SW) personnel are concentrated in the metropolitan area," adding, "However, there is still a shortage of people and companies, so who invests more and who cultivates personnel will determine competitiveness."

Furthermore, Research Fellow Lee forecasted that the demand for internal combustion engine parts will accelerate its decline after 2025 and proposed policies including ▲research and development (R&D) ▲human capital development ▲collaboration among industry, public institutions, representative organizations, and research institutions ▲maintenance and expansion of production bases.

During the Q&A session following the lecture, one attendee asked about support measures for many internal combustion engine parts companies in Gyeonggi Province to successfully transition into future car parts companies.

Research Fellow Lee responded, "You should not try to support future cars from the internal combustion engine system. It is better to utilize those who understand future car technologies, even if they are in the private sector, and move forward together," adding, "(Trying to solve it) alone will not work. What I mean is that the private and public sectors should create a network and work together."

Gyeonggi Province will hold a total of seven Gyeongbasi sessions until the 23rd. On the 22nd, Lee Chang-su, chairman of the Citizens' Development Cooperative Federation, will present and discuss 'Gyeonggi Province's Response to the Climate Crisis and Energy Transition.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.