Incheon ordinance gives first institutional backing to Park Chan-dae's 'Global AI Auto Valley' pledge

Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae's campaign pledge to build a "Global AI Auto Valley" has received its first institutional backing through a local ordinance aimed at fostering the city's used-car export industry.

Incheon Metropolitan Council member Jeong Bo-hyeon on Friday introduced a bill titled the "Incheon Metropolitan City Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of the Used Automobile Export Industry," which seeks to systematically develop the sector and support the relocation and modernization of the existing used-car export complex in Oknyeon-dong, Yeonsu-gu.

The proposed ordinance goes beyond simply moving the aging complex to a new location. It envisions restructuring the used-car export industry — long centered on Incheon Port — into a future-oriented, eco-friendly and digitally driven sector, while building an integrated industrial ecosystem covering inspection, maintenance, commercialization, storage, logistics and shipping.

Under the bill, the Incheon mayor would be required to establish a five-year master plan for developing the used-car export industry, along with annual implementation plans.

Key areas of support would include the relocation and modernization of the existing export complex, development of new export facilities, construction of an Incheon Port-centered export and shared logistics network, assistance for overseas market entry, training of specialized personnel, and the digitalization of export and logistics information systems.

The ordinance is drawing particular attention because its policy direction aligns with Mayor Park's "Global AI Auto Valley" vision.

Incheon's used-car export industry has already established itself as one of the city's core export sectors, anchored by Incheon Port. Yet the industry continues to struggle with aging facilities, small-scale business structures and inadequate logistics infrastructure.

Should AI and digital technologies be applied to vehicle management, export information systems and logistics optimization, however, the sector could evolve from a simple vehicle aggregation and export business into a future-oriented automotive and logistics industry.

Analysts say the ordinance could serve as the first step in connecting the AI-based automotive industry policy envisioned by Park's administration — the ninth elected city government — to concrete institutional and industrial foundations.

The used-car export complex in Oknyeon-dong has long been a source of complaints from local residents.

Recurring problems — including traffic congestion from vehicle movements, illegal parking, noise and dust — have consistently fueled calls for the complex to be relocated.

From the industry's perspective, however, simply closing or moving the complex was never a viable solution, given that the used-car export sector is a vital pillar of the local economy directly tied to Incheon Port.

The direction Jeong has laid out in the ordinance reflects that reality. The proposal calls for relocating the existing complex to improve residents' living environment, while using the process not to weaken the industry's competitiveness but to build a new, eco-friendly and modernized export industry base.

The planned relocation site would be developed to include facilities needed for export operations — inspection, maintenance, commercialization, storage, logistics and shipping — and the bill also establishes a legal basis for supporting the business stability of existing operators.

The bill also provides for a comprehensive export support center to offer trade consulting, administrative assistance, overseas buyer outreach, and education and advisory services — an effort that goes beyond a simple change of location to build a broader industry support framework.

Legislative momentum is also building at the national level. The ordinance is seen as significant alongside a bill on the promotion of the used-car export industry introduced in the National Assembly in July, with the two measures together laying the groundwork for developing the sector at both the national and local government levels.

Passage of the ordinance, however, would not in itself mean the "Global AI Auto Valley" has been realized.

Turning the vision into an actual industrial transformation would require clearing a number of hurdles: securing a relocation site, raising funds, reconciling competing interests between existing operators and residents, establishing logistics links with Incheon Port, and developing concrete industry models that leverage AI and digital technologies.

"The relocation of the Oknyeon-dong used-car export complex is a long-cherished goal that local residents have sought for years," Jeong said. "Rather than a simple move, we aim to create an eco-friendly and modernized industrial environment, integrate logistics systems linked to Incheon Port, and apply digital technologies to strengthen the competitiveness of Incheon's used-car export industry as a future-oriented sector."