South Korea has positioned itself as a leader in artificial intelligence development and governance with its comprehensive "National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence" launched in December 2019. The strategy aims to establish South Korea as a top-three nation in digital competitiveness by 2030 while emphasising the importance of "people-centered AI." Key elements of South Korea's approach include fostering a world-leading AI ecosystem, widespread adoption of AI across sectors, and an emphasis on ethical AI development and use. The strategy is the result of collaboration across multiple government ministries and offices, reflecting a whole-of-government approach to AI advancement.
South Korea has taken significant steps to establish ethical guidelines for AI development and use. In December 2020, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the Korean AI Ethical Standards, which include three basic principles: human dignity, public interests, and technological teleology. These are supported by ten key requirements, including human rights advocacy, privacy protection, and transparency. The country has also updated its legal framework to address AI-related challenges. The Framework Act on Intelligence Informatisation, amended in 2020, provides a basis for regulations addressing AI development and use, including technical requirements, standardisation, and personal data protection.
South Korea has strengthened its data protection regime with amendments to key laws in 2020, including the Personal Information Protection Act. The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) was established as an independent supervisory authority for data protection. Efforts to enhance algorithmic transparency are underway, with proposed amendments to the Personal Information Protection Act including provisions for the right to request explanations regarding automated decisions and the right to object to them.
The country has actively engaged in international AI initiatives, endorsing the OECD AI Principles and participating as a founding member of the Global Partnership on AI. South Korea has also played a significant role in the development and implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
South Korea maintains a strong commitment to human rights, with Freedom House rating it as a "free" country. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea serves as an advocacy institution for human rights protection. The government has made efforts to engage the public in AI policy development, including hosting open seminars and contests to gather input on AI-related initiatives.
Despite South Korea's progress, challenges remain. Regulation of facial recognition technology is still lacking at the national level, and concerns have been raised about the use of AI-powered surveillance systems. Issues related to AI in education, including data privacy for students, need to be addressed.
South Korea has established itself as a leader in AI development and governance, with a comprehensive national strategy that balances innovation with ethical considerations. While challenges remain, particularly in regulating emerging technologies, the country's commitment to international cooperation and emphasis on human-centered AI provide a strong foundation for responsible AI development.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/