Autonomous-driving demonstration vehicles will begin operating in Gwangju at the end of November, starting with two vehicles and safety managers in the driver's seats before gradually reducing human intervention, according to the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City on November 4. The fleet is planned to increase to 130 vehicles by the end of 2026 and to 200 in early 2027, with initial service areas in the outskirts of Gwangsan-gu, Buk-gu, and Seo-gu before expanding into the city center as technology and safety are verified. Gwangju is the first city in South Korea to have its entire area designated as an autonomous-driving pilot zone, with Hyundai Motor Company, Autonomous A2Z, and RideFlux participating; driving data collected on actual roads will be used to train artificial intelligence systems and improve the technology. Trials will progress from safety managers in the driver's seat to an empty driver's seat with a safety manager in the front passenger seat, before testing fully driverless operation, with the government planning to begin test runs with the driver's seat empty from the end of 2027. The government is also working to launch a paid robotaxi pilot in Gwangju in 2028, which requires safety verification, revisions to relevant laws and regulations, and discussions with the existing transport industry, amid ongoing talks on taxi licenses and jobs as transport workers worry about their livelihoods.