South Korea's AI Basic Act, a comprehensive AI law, took effect January 22, 2026. It pairs a risk-based framework with an innovation-first posture, and roughly four-fifths of the act is about promoting the industry. It imposes transparency duties on generative and high-impact AI, adds safety duties for the largest models, reaches foreign providers serving Korean users, and runs a grace period of at least a year before most fines apply.
Key points
- The Act on the Development of AI and Establishment of Trust (AI Basic Act) took effect January 22, 2026.
- It defines 'high-impact' AI across sectors such as healthcare, energy, employment, credit, and public administration.
- Foreign operators above set thresholds must appoint a domestic representative.
- Providers must notify users when they interact with AI and label generative output, especially exported synthetic media.
- Fines reach up to KRW 30 million; the science ministry is deferring most fact-finding and fines for at least a year from January 22, 2026, except in serious cases such as loss of life or human-rights violations.
- The act was amended by Act No. 21311 of January 20, 2026, in force July 21, 2026, adding public-sector adoption duties, AI research institutes, support for AI-vulnerable groups, and public data for training; the National AI Strategy Committee's reorganization was written into law.
Laws and instruments
AI Basic Act
Act on the Development of AI and Establishment of Trust, Act No. 20676 of January 21, 2025; amended by Act No. 21311 of January 20, 2026
Comprehensive framework combining industrial promotion with baseline obligations for transparency, safety, and user protection. Technical detail is set by an Enforcement Decree and MSIT guidance. Nine amendment bills passed the National Assembly on December 30, 2025 and were consolidated in Act No. 21311; the parts needing sub-regulation, including public-sector AI adoption, AI research institutes, cost support for AI-vulnerable groups, and public data as training data, took effect on July 21, 2026.
Effective: January 22, 2026; amendments in force July 21, 2026
Timeline
- December 26, 2024
National Assembly passes the AI Basic Act.
- December 30, 2025
The National Assembly passes nine amendment bills to the AI Basic Act before it takes effect.
- January 20, 2026
Amending Act No. 21311 promulgated; the immediate parts apply from January 22, the rest from July 21, 2026.
- January 21, 2026
The Enforcement Decree, Presidential Decree No. 36053, is promulgated.
- January 22, 2026
AI Basic Act and Enforcement Decree take effect; the science ministry defers most fact-finding and fines for at least a year, except in serious cases.
- July 21, 2026
The remaining amendments to the AI Basic Act take effect with their Enforcement Decree provisions.
Who it applies to
AI development business operators and AI utilization business operators, with heightened duties for high-impact and generative AI. Extraterritorial: foreign operators whose AI affects Korean users must designate a domestic representative above revenue or user thresholds. National-defense and security uses are exempt.
Penalties
Administrative fines up to KRW 30 million (about USD 21,000) for failures such as not disclosing AI use or not appointing a domestic representative. The act emphasizes post-market oversight over pre-market approval.
Recent developments
South Korea's AI Basic Act takes effect
The AI Basic Act and its Enforcement Decree came into force. It sets transparency and high-impact duties, reaches foreign providers serving Korean users, and runs a grace period of at least a year before most fines apply.
Common questions
Does South Korea have a comprehensive AI law?
Yes. South Korea's AI Basic Act, a comprehensive AI law, took effect January 22, 2026. It pairs a risk-based framework with an innovation-first posture, and roughly four-fifths of the act is about promoting the industry. It imposes transparency duties on generative and high-impact AI, adds safety duties for the largest models, reaches foreign providers serving Korean users, and runs a grace period of at least a year before most fines apply.
What are the penalties for AI violations in South Korea?
Administrative fines up to KRW 30 million (about USD 21,000) for failures such as not disclosing AI use or not appointing a domestic representative. The act emphasizes post-market oversight over pre-market approval.
Who does AI regulation in South Korea apply to?
AI development business operators and AI utilization business operators, with heightened duties for high-impact and generative AI. Extraterritorial: foreign operators whose AI affects Korean users must designate a domestic representative above revenue or user thresholds. National-defense and security uses are exempt.
Cite this page
Artificial Intelligence Regulations, "AI Regulation in South Korea," reviewed October 26, 2026, https://artificialintelligenceregulations.com/jurisdictions/south-korea.html.
Entries state the position as of the review date and link to the primary text for verification.
