What does Korea's AI Framework Act require of generative AI?

01 / The answer

The short answer

It imposes three transparency duties. Operators must tell users in advance that a product or service uses generative AI (Article 31(1)). They must label generative AI output as AI-generated; if they use a machine-readable mark, they must also say so at least once by text, voice or similar means (Article 31(2)). Sound, images or video that are hard to tell from reality must be clearly notified or labelled (Article 31(3)). The duties do not apply where AI use is obvious from the product or the use is purely internal.

02 / The rule

What Korea AI Framework Act requires

Korea's comprehensive AI statute imposes transparency duties on generative and high-impact AI, risk-management duties on high-impact AI, and a domestic-representative duty on large foreign operators. The duties have been binding since 22 January 2026, but the Ministry of Science and ICT has deferred investigations and fines for at least a year except in serious cases.

1. 01Notify users in advance when a product or service uses high-impact or generative AI (Art. 31(1)).
2. 02Label generative AI output; if using a machine-readable mark, also indicate it at least once by text, voice or similar (Art. 31(2)).
3. 03Clearly notify or label virtual sound, images or video that are hard to tell from reality (Art. 31(3)).
4. 04High-impact AI operators: implement the Article 34(1) measures and keep supporting documents for five years.

03 / Records

Records to keep

1. 01Advance AI-use notices by surface and version
2. 02Output labelling and watermark specifications
3. 03High-impact classification decision and Article 34(1) measure records kept five years
4. 04Domestic representative appointment, where thresholds are met

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