Current position
Overview
South Korea enacted the AI Basic Act (Framework Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Establishment of Trust, Law No. 20676) on 21 January 2025; it entered into force on 22 January 2026, accompanied by the Enforcement Decree.
The Act establishes an AI governance framework requiring transparency disclosures, impact assessments for high-impact AI systems, risk management obligations, and designation of domestic representatives by foreign operators. The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) is the lead authority. A 10²⁶ FLOP training compute threshold triggers enhanced obligations for frontier models.
Key legislation & sources
AI Basic Act — National Assembly bill text (Korean)
AI Basic Act — English translation (CSET Georgetown)
AI Basic Act and Enforcement Decree — Library of Congress analysis (February 2026)
Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) — lead authority
https://www.msit.go.kr/eng/bbs/view.do?sCode=eng&mId=4&mPid=2&bbsSeqNo=42&nttSeqNo=1071
Regulatory developments
Latest updates
Latest event import:
Updates sourced from Digital Policy Alert ↗. Recent activity from the last three months.
consultation opened
Personal Information Protection Commission opened consultation on amended Enforcement Rule on Organisation of Personal Information Protection Commission including provisions on establishment of AI Privacy Team
Source: Digital Policy Alert · View update ↗
introduction
Bill amending Act on Promotion of Industrial Digital Transformation and Utilisation of AI, including provisions on safety and reliability guidelines for industrial AI was introduced to National Assembly
Source: Digital Policy Alert · View update ↗
introduction
Bill amending Special Act on Promotion of Artificial Intelligence Data Center Industry including provisions on local government permits was introduced to National Assembly
Source: Digital Policy Alert · View update ↗
introduction
Bill amending Act on Promotion of Industrial Digital Transformation and Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence was introduced to National Assembly
Source: Digital Policy Alert · View update ↗
introduction
Bill amending Network Act including excessive-use alerts and time restrictions for minors using generative AI conversational services was introduced to National Assembly
Source: Digital Policy Alert · View update ↗
Showing 5 of 100 available API entries. Dates and summaries are supplied by Digital Policy Alert.