Korean Cabinet Approves Amendments to Expand AI Training Data Access

On October 13, 2026, the Korean Cabinet approved amendments to the Framework Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Creation of a Foundation for Trust (the “AI Basic Act”) and the Framework Act on Promotion of Data Industry and Data Utilization (the “Data Industry Act”) to establish a more systematic national framework for managing and using AI data. The amendments seek to (i) expand the availability of AI training data produced through government projects and (ii) make public- and private-sector data easier to find through a single access point.

The key provisions of the amendments and their practical implications are outlined below.

1. Background and Overview

The amendments set forth a statutory basis for linking and providing data through two existing platforms operated by the Ministry of Science and ICT (“MSIT”): AI Hub, which provides large-scale AI training datasets otherwise difficult for universities and SMEs to obtain, and One-Window, which connects public and private data platforms to show where data can be found.

2. Key Amendments to the AI Basic Act: Government-Project AI Training Data to Be Shared Through AI Hub

Mandatory Sharing: AI training data developed or generated through government projects must be made available through AI Hub.

Exceptions: Entities carrying out these projects may refrain from linking or providing data where any ground prescribed by Presidential Decree applies, including the protection of trade secrets, personal information, copyright, or national security.

Government Support and Quality Control: The MSIT and central administrative agencies may provide administrative, financial, and technical support for data linkage and will oversee the quality of data provided through AI Hub through the implementation of necessary measures.

3. Key Amendments to the Data Industry Act: Enhancing Access to Data Location Information Through One-Window

Cooperation Requests: The MSIT may ask public institutions and private companies to link location information for their data with One-Window. Public institutions must generally comply with such requests unless there are special circumstances, while private companies are not obligated to do so.

Technical and Financial Support: The MSIT may provide technical and financial support to entities for linking data location information, thereby encouraging more public- and private-sector data platforms to join One-Window.

4. Effective Date

The amendments to the AI Basic Act and the Data Industry Act are expected to take effect in April 2027, six months after promulgation. The MSIT plans to promptly develop the relevant implementing regulations in the meantime.

5. Next Steps & Implications

Prepare for New AI Training Data Obligations: Companies participating in, or considering, government R&D or other public projects should assess early on how project data will be managed and whether it must be shared through AI Hub. Data sharing that was only a condition of certain projects in the past (e.g., the “Sovereign AI Foundation Model”) will now become a legal requirement.

Assess Exceptions and Compliance Risks: Companies should proactively identify datasets falling under the exceptions prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as those containing trade secrets, personal information, or third-party copyrighted works, and document the legal grounds for any potential exceptions. Conversely, where data is to be shared, companies must evaluate potential compliance risks under the Personal Information Protection Act, the Copyright Act, and other applicable laws. As detailed operational criteria will be clarified through implementing regulations, close monitoring of these regulatory developments is highly recommended.

Consider Connecting to One-Window: Unlike public institutions, joining One-Window is voluntary for private companies. Yet, they may still wish to consider it in light of available government support and the prospect of greater visibility and wider distribution of their data.

Explore Opportunities from Improved Data Access: Through AI Hub and One-Window, entities, particularly universities, SMEs, and startups that struggle to obtain necessary data on their own, are expected to find and access public and private data more easily. Organizations should still check their respective terms of use and dataset license conditions before using data obtained through these channels.

About Shin & Kim’s ICT Group

Shin & Kim’s ICT Group has established a strong reputation for its expertise and extensive professional network in the ICT sector and has consistently received high praise from clients in recent years. Drawing on its experience in broadcasting, telecommunications, data privacy, and internet-related technologies, the Group provides comprehensive legal advice on ICT regulatory developments, government relations, legislative and regulatory reform, regulatory impact assessments, and corporate strategy. The Group also has extensive experience advising on AI compliance, data utilization and related agreements, and security incident response.

For more information on these developments or their implications for your business, please contact any of the professionals listed above.

[Korean version] 국가 AI 데이터의 체계적 관리·활용을 위한 「AI기본법」·「데이터산업법」 개정안 국무회의 통과