Framework Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Establishment of Trust (AI Basic Act), Law No. 20676

Summary

South Korea's AI Basic Act combines support for the AI industry with baseline duties on trust, safety and transparency. Providers using generative or high-impact AI must tell users in advance that AI is in use and may need to label AI-generated output; operators of high-impact AI must prepare safety and trustworthiness measures such as risk management, explainability, human oversight and record-keeping; very large AI systems above a compute threshold carry additional risk duties. The Act applies to conduct abroad that affects the Korean market or users, and foreign operators above revenue or user thresholds must appoint a domestic representative. Administrative fines of up to KRW 30 million apply to failures such as not giving notice or not appointing a representative. The Ministry of Science and ICT is running a grace period of at least one year in 2026 during which fines and fact-finding investigations are generally deferred.

Key dates

1. January 21, 2025Key date
2. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: October 16, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. South Korea’s AI Basic Act and its Enforcement Decree took effect on January 22, 2026, creating a national framework that combines AI industrial promotion with baseline obligations for trust, safety, transparency, and user protection.

   Supports: In force date with Enforcement Decree; scope

   MSIT is operating a grace period of at least one year in 2026, during which fact-finding investigations and administrative fines will generally be deferred except in exceptional cases involving serious social harm

   Supports: Grace period on fines

   South Korea AI Basic Act (market intelligence) International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce Reporting or analysis

2. took effect on January 22, 2026, joining the European Union AI Act as a comprehensive AI regulatory regime. The AI Basic Act provides high-level requirements for transparency and addressing high-risk AI systems, and confirms its extraterritorial application.

   Supports: In force date; transparency, high-risk and extraterritorial provisions

   South Korea's AI Basic Act: Overview and Key Takeaways Cooley LLP Reporting or analysis

3. [Enforced January 22, 2026] [Law No. 20676, Enacted January 21, 2025]

   Supports: Official title, law number, enactment and enforcement dates

   Article 43 (Administrative Fines) 1) An administrative fine not exceeding 30 million won [U.S. $22,000] shall be imposed on any person who falls under any of the following Subparagraphs.

   Supports: Fine ceiling

   1) This Act shall apply to acts conducted abroad that affect the domestic market or users in the Republic of Korea.

   Supports: Extraterritorial scope

   Framework Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Establishment of Trust (English translation), Article 4 Center for Security and Emerging Technology, Georgetown University Reporting or analysis