At a time when artificial intelligence technologies are advancing unchecked globally, South Korea is becoming the first country to establish a legal framework for this field. While the United States and the European Union have delayed or relaxed their regulatory processes, the South Korean government is officially implementing the National Artificial Intelligence Framework Law as of January 22, 2026.

South Korea regulates artificial intelligence

With this move, the era of uncontrolled growth for technology companies ends, and a process begins where the sector faces concrete and comprehensive rules for the first time. The new law establishes a national artificial intelligence committee and implements a fundamental strategic plan covering three-year periods.

The new legal regulation is based on an approach that classifies artificial intelligence systems according to their risk levels. Stricter security and transparency criteria are applied, especially for “high-impact” artificial intelligence systems used in areas that directly affect human life and social order, such as health, education, and public services.

One of the most notable provisions of the regulation is the mandatory watermarking application introduced to combat disinformation and deepfake content. It is becoming a legal requirement for all content generated using artificial intelligence to explicitly state that it was created using this technology.

The South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT argues that these steps are critical to the country’s long-term security, and is suspending administrative fines for a year and providing a transition period for companies to adapt to the new regulations.

With the law set to go into effect, uncertainty prevails among technology giants operating in South Korea. The lack of clear definitions in the current law raises questions about which services will be banned or which will be subject to change.

Industry representatives are warning that some AI services could be suddenly shut down starting January 22nd. This comprehensive law, a world first, sets a concrete precedent for other countries regarding the ethical and safe use of artificial intelligence.