Source: The Legal Wire

The Legal Wire reports that the National Assembly of South Korea has passed a significant amendment to the "Framework Bill on the Development of the AI Industry" on December 29, 2025. This amendment specifically addresses concerns raised by civil society and tech experts regarding the potential for algorithmic bias and the lack of human oversight in high-stakes AI applications. The new provisions introduce mandatory "ethical impact assessments" for any AI system deployed in public-facing services, such as hiring, credit scoring, and social welfare distribution. Furthermore, the amendment grants the government the power to order the immediate suspension of AI services found to be causing significant social harm or violating fundamental human rights.

Crucially, the legislation now includes a specific section on "algorithmic transparency," requiring companies to provide meaningful explanations of how their AI systems reach specific decisions when requested by affected individuals. To facilitate this, the Ministry of Science and ICT is tasked with establishing a national AI verification center to conduct independent audits of frontier models. These changes represent a proactive attempt by South Korea to move beyond a purely promotional stance on AI technology toward a more balanced regulatory model that prioritizes safety and ethical accountability. The amendment also increases the statutory fines for non-compliance, signaling a firm commitment to enforcing these new standards as the country enters a new phase of digital transformation in 2026.