Official name: Framework Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Creation of a Foundation for Trust
Citation: Act No. 20676, 21 January 2025 (as later amended); commonly called the AI Basic Act
Year / status: Passed December 2024. Enacted 21 January 2025. In force 22 January 2026, with an enforcement decree.
What it does
The Act is a framework: national strategy and infrastructure, plus duties meant to support safe, trustworthy AI. High-impact systems face additional transparency and risk-management expectations. Korea sets its own high-impact list. The maximum administrative fine described in ministry materials is modest beside European Union turnover penalties.
Where it applies / status
South Korea. Foreign providers that meet stated Korean-user or revenue thresholds can be pulled in. The statute and the enforcement decree state the current test.
Documented benefits or intended effects
Intended effects: a legal basis for AI governance and for high-impact transparency. The Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology announced a grace period of at least one year from 22 January 2026 during which many fines and fact-finding investigations would be deferred, with serious-harm cases still in scope. Duties during the grace period continue.
Caveats
A framework act with a grace period is an early enforcement record. The decree and guidelines have been in active calibration. The European Union Artificial Intelligence Act is an older comprehensive regime, and this statute is Korea’s own framework.
Sources
Korean Law Information Center English text; Korea Legislation Research Institute English viewer; Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology press release on entry into force.
- Korea Law Translation Center: Framework Act on Artificial Intelligence (Act No. 20676)
- Korean statutes portal: English text of the Framework Act
- Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology: entry into force (22 January 2026)