Korea's National AI Strategy Committee discusses a government-wide AI legislative framework centred on the AI Basic Act

South Korea's National AI Strategy Committee, which is chaired by the President, discussed a draft "Republic of Korea AI Legislative Framework" at the fifth meeting of the government's Chief AI Officers (CAIO) council in Seoul on 2 October, according to the committee's press release. The committee says demand for AI legislation has grown sharply since the AI Basic Act took effect, and the draft sets the government's direction under four basic directions: legislation centred on the AI Basic Act, closing legislative gaps in defence and security, improving predictability for businesses, and responding immediately when harmful effects occur. It also sets legislative principles by area, covering the promotion of AI development and AI convergence, AI safety and trust, and preventing misuse and abuse of AI. The meeting, the first chaired by Lee Hae-min, senior presidential secretary for AI future planning, was widened from 28 minister-level bodies to 42 central government agencies. The Ministry of Science and ICT also asked agencies to help prepare the "AI for Everyone" service, due for a full public launch in December, including by setting standards for how AI agents process and use personal data.

What it means for business: no new obligations yet; the framework signals that Korea wants new AI rules to sit under the AI Basic Act and to be predictable for businesses, so companies offering AI in Korea may want to watch for bills that follow it.