South Korea — AI Law & Policy Updates

South Korea's AI Basic Act, the first comprehensive national AI framework in Asia, took effect on January 22, 2026, requiring operators of high-impact AI systems in healthcare, hiring, biometrics, and public services to provide output explanations, ensure human oversight, and conduct risk assessments. All providers must label AI-generated content and disclose AI interaction, with large foreign providers required to appoint a Korea-based representative, facing administrative fines up to KRW 30 million after a one-year grace period.

Basic Act on the Development of AI and Establishment of Trust AI Basic Act, effective Jan 22, 2026 · AI Basic Act Enforcement Decree MSIT · Personal Information Protection Act PIPA — Status: In Effect Jan 22, 2026 South Korea's AI Basic Act — the first comprehensive national AI framework in Asia — took effect on January 22, 2026, with a one-year grace period before fines are enforced. Operators must determine whether their system is 'high-impact AI' used in healthcare, hiring, biometrics, or public services and, if so, provide explanations of outputs, ensure human oversight, and run risk and fundamental-rights impact assessments. All providers must label AI-generated content and disclose AI interaction; large foreign providers must appoint a Korea-based domestic representative. Administrative fines reach KRW 30 million. Recent developments: