South Korea. AI / automated decisions. Act
AI Basic ActFramework Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Establishment of a Foundation for Trust (AI Basic Act)
In force
§1Summary
- Synopsis
Korea's horizontal AI law, combining promotion with duties on providers of high-impact and generative AI. It requires user notice and AI-output labelling, risk management for high-impact systems and a domestic representative for qualifying foreign providers.
- Key themes
- Unique features
Extraterritorial reach covers foreign acts that indirectly affect the Korean market; fines are modest compared with EU AI Act.
- SaaS relevance
Foreign AI SaaS serving Korean users above thresholds must appoint a Korean representative and label generative outputs.
§2Obligations
- Extraterritorial
- Yes
- Maximum penalty
- KRW 30m administrative fine
§3Dates
- Key dates
- Adopted
- In force
- Passed 2024-12-26; promulgated 2025-01-21; in force 2026-01-22
§4Text and authority
- Text
- Authoritative text law.go.kr
- English text elaw.klri.re.kr
- Authority
- Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT)
§5Where it applies
- Domestic law of
- South Korea
§6Sources and verification
- Sources consulted
- Verification
High confidence.
A grace period on fines has been reported; not verified. [Link: official Korean (law.go.kr); KLRI official English (Jan 2026 version)]