South Korea's "Basic Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Establishment of Trust Foundations" (hereinafter referred to as the "AI Basic Act") is set to officially take effect on January 22, 2026. This legislative move is geared towards fostering the robust and healthy development of the AI industry under state support, while simultaneously safeguarding against the potential pitfalls associated with AI.

In accordance with the provisions of this act, the government will uphold and respect the innovative spirit inherent in AI technology and service providers. It actively encourages these entities to engage in the development of AI-related products and services. Concurrently, the government is steadfast in its commitment to mitigating the potential risks that AI may pose to people's daily lives. To this end, it will formulate comprehensive safety usage guidelines. Moreover, the government will lend its support to research and development initiatives, as well as promotional and educational endeavors, aimed at ensuring the safe and reliable utilization of AI technologies.