Republic of Korea: Ministry of Science and ICT adopted guideline on standards and examples for high-impact AI

On 29 January 2026, the Ministry of Science and ICT adopted the revised high-impact AI decision guidelines, building on the version released on 22 January 2026 following the entry into force of the Artificial Intelligence Basic Act. The guidelines specify the legal and technical criteria for determining whether an artificial intelligence system constitutes high-impact artificial intelligence under Article 33 of the Act. They establish a structured, two-stage determination methodology that first assesses whether the system is used within enumerated application domains and then evaluates whether its use may generate significant risks to human life, physical safety, or fundamental rights. The guidelines define assessment factors, including the function of the system, the degree of automation in decision-making, the scale and reversibility of potential harm, and the characteristics of affected persons. The revised version updates procedural guidance on applicability in criminal investigation and arrest contexts and clarifies the process for determining whether a person is subject to high-impact artificial intelligence, while maintaining the overall determination framework introduced on 22 January 2026.