On the morning of the 26th, the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee in the National Assembly passed the Basic Law on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The amendment to improve the distribution structure of mobile communication devices, known as the abolition of the “Device Distribution Law,” also passed the full committee meeting on the same day.
The committee agreed on the AI Basic Law establishment bill and the abolition of the Device Distribution Law, passing both bills in about 30 minutes, without any disagreement between the ruling and opposition parties.
The AI Basic Law merges a total of 19 AI-related bills proposed by both political parties, establishing a foundation for AI industry development and ethical standards on AI service accountability. It introduces business responsibility for “high-impact AI” to ensure reliability and safety for AI technologies related to human life or physical safety. It mandates large international AI companies, such as OpenAI, operating in South Korea to appoint a domestic representative, and to include watermarks on AI-generated images and photos.
The abolition of the Device Distribution Law combines proposals from Park Choong-gwon of the People Power Party and Kim Hyun of the Democratic Party. It eliminates the public support subsidy system but retains the optional contract discount by transferring it to the Telecommunications Business Act. A new requirement for manufacturers to submit related incentive data is also included. Manufacturers must separately report the incentive size to the government.
However, concerns were raised by the ruling party. Park said, “Incentive information counts as trade secrets, and if leaked through any means, it could seriously harm our manufacturers competing in the global market.” He further stated, “If manufacturers are forced to abandon incentives as a last resort, the burden would ultimately fall on the citizens,” urging thorough government management. Responding, Minister Yoo Sang-im stated, “The repeal of the Device Distribution Law and amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act will encourage competition among operators and maintain user rights protection like optional contracts, which is expected to reduce household telecommunication expenses.”