Enforcement Decree of AI Basic Act Open for Public Comment Until December 22

Clarifying Criteria for High-Impact AI, Transparency Obligations, and Impact Assessment Items

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on November 12 that it has prepared a draft of the Enforcement Decree for the “Basic Act on the Advancement and Trust Building of Artificial Intelligence (AI Basic Act)” and will hold a 40-day public notice period until December 22.

This Enforcement Decree specifies the delegated matters of the AI Basic Act, which will take effect in January next year, and reflects the opinions of various stakeholders, including industry, civic groups, experts, and relevant ministries. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to broadly gather additional public feedback during the notice period.

The Enforcement Decree details criteria for support to foster the industry, the designation of AI Policy Centers, procedures for designating AI cluster complexes, and systems to ensure AI safety and trust. In particular, it clearly defines notification and labeling methods for deepfake outputs, criteria for determining high-impact artificial intelligence, obligations to ensure transparency, and items for AI impact assessment. The ministry explained that these measures are intended to reduce corporate risks and enhance the predictability of the system.

In addition, before imposing fines, there will be a guidance period of at least one year. An “AI Integrated Support Center” (tentative name) will be established to provide consultation and guidance on the system, supporting companies in fulfilling their obligations. Feedback collected during this period will also be reflected in the future development of notifications and guidelines.

Minister Bae Kyunghoon of the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, “The draft Enforcement Decree of the AI Basic Act will serve as an institutional cornerstone for Korea to become a global leader in AI,” adding, “During the public notice period, we will faithfully reflect various voices from the field to fully realize the legislative intent of fostering industrial development and building trust.”