What is Korea’s AI Basic Act?
South Korea’s Basic Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Establishment of Trust (“AI Basic Act”) is a comprehensive national AI law that pairs pro-innovation measures with trust and safety requirements. It was passed at the end of 2024 and is slated to take effect January 2026. The Act sets up national AI governance bodies (e.g., a National AI Commission and Safety Institute) and a recurring national AI plan.
Who it applies to -
The law has domestic and extraterritorial scope: it can apply to organizations outside Korea whose AI products or services affect users in Korea. Certain organizations without a domestic address may need to appoint a domestic representative to liaise with authorities.
Key Requirements
Organizations covered by the Act should be prepared to:
Establish and operate an AI risk-management plan across the lifecycle.
Provide transparency/explainability about results, criteria, and training data.
Implement user-protection and human-oversight measures.
Prepare and retain documentation demonstrating safety and reliability.
Conduct impact assessments for certain high-impact AI uses (e.g., public-sector or critical-impact contexts).
Monitor developments as implementing decrees further specify obligations.
Timeline note: Multiple sources confirm effect from January 2026; expect additional implementing guidance leading up to enforcement.
Core approach -
The Act takes a risk-based approach and singles out categories like high-impact AI (and addresses generative AI) for heightened obligations. Policymakers describe it as less prescriptive than the EU AI Act at this stage, with details expected via subsequent rules and guidance.
How Darior Can Help
We offer end-to-end support to get you ready for Korea’s AI Basic Act—kept concise and aligned with your 5-pillar model:
Regulatory Readiness & Risk Assessment
Scope analysis for Korea market impact, role mapping (provider/deployer), AI system inventory, and risk tiering (including flags for high-impact use cases).Governance & Policy Framework Design
Design accountability structures, oversight mechanisms, escalation paths, and documentation standards that reflect the Act’s trust and safety intent.Compliance Implementation & Documentation
Build evidence files, risk-management procedures, transparency disclosures, and (where applicable) materials for high-impact AI assessments.Training & Capability Building
Targeted sessions for leadership, product/ML, and compliance teams on obligations, documentation discipline, and operational controls.Continuous Monitoring & Audit Readiness
Post-market monitoring setup, incident workflows, KPI dashboards, periodic readiness reviews, and updates as new guidance is issued.
Clear, practical, and market-ready: we prepare your teams and artifacts for Korea’s 2026 enforcement while keeping your program adaptable as details evolve.