South Korea has taken a significant step in AI regulation with the recent publication of its Special Act on the Promotion of Artificial Intelligence (Act No. 21759), marking one of the most comprehensive AI legislative frameworks in the Asia-Pacific region to date.

Published on 9 June 2026 by the Ministry of Government Legislation (MOLEG), the Act aims to foster AI innovation while establishing clear governance structures, ethical standards, and safety requirements. It reflects a growing trend among Asia-Pacific governments to move beyond broad AI principles towards enforceable laws that balance technological growth with public trust and risk management.

Key Features of South Korea’s AI Act

  • Promotion and Support: The Act mandates government support for AI research, development, and commercialisation, including funding, infrastructure, and talent development.
  • Ethical and Safety Standards: It requires AI systems to comply with safety protocols and ethical guidelines, emphasising transparency, fairness, and accountability.
  • Regulatory Oversight: The Act establishes a dedicated AI governance body to oversee compliance, coordinate between ministries, and engage with industry stakeholders.
  • Public Sector AI Use: It includes provisions for responsible AI deployment in government services, ensuring data protection and citizen rights.
  • International Cooperation: The legislation encourages alignment with global AI standards and collaboration on cross-border AI challenges.

Why This Matters for Australia and New Zealand

South Korea’s legislation is the latest in a wave of Asia-Pacific AI regulatory initiatives, joining Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and others in operationalising AI governance. For Australia and New Zealand, this development offers both a benchmark and a prompt to accelerate their own regulatory frameworks.

Australia’s AI Safety Institute and New Zealand’s Algorithm Charter have laid important groundwork, but South Korea’s Act demonstrates how governments can integrate promotion and regulation within a single statute. This dual approach is particularly relevant as both countries seek to balance AI-driven economic opportunities with emerging risks such as bias, misinformation, and safety failures.

Moreover, South Korea’s emphasis on a centralised governance body and international cooperation highlights practical mechanisms that could inform trans-Tasman collaboration and regional AI policy harmonisation. Given the interconnectedness of AI supply chains and data flows in the Asia-Pacific, regulatory alignment will be crucial to maintaining competitiveness and managing cross-border risks.

Implications for Industry and Research

For Australian and New Zealand businesses, South Korea’s Act signals a maturing regulatory environment in the region that will affect AI product development, deployment, and export. Companies operating across Asia-Pacific markets will need to navigate varying but increasingly robust compliance requirements.

On the research front, the Act’s support for AI infrastructure and talent development echoes calls from local research councils and universities for sustained investment. It also underscores the importance of embedding ethics and safety into AI innovation from the outset, a priority echoed in recent OECD and UNDP reports on responsible AI scaling.

Looking Ahead

South Korea’s Special Act on AI Promotion is a consequential development that advances Asia-Pacific’s AI regulatory landscape from principles to practice. For Australia and New Zealand, it offers a timely case study in crafting legislation that fosters innovation while safeguarding societal values.

As AI technologies continue to evolve rapidly, the region’s governments will need to maintain agile, coordinated approaches to regulation. South Korea’s Act provides a valuable reference point for policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders aiming to build trustworthy AI ecosystems that benefit all citizens.

AI disclosure: Automated systems assisted with research and drafting. Gemini independently peer-reviewed this article before publication. Sources are linked for verification.