Goh Hak-su: "Big Tech Cannot Ignore Korea... The Whole World Is Paying Attention"

Personal Information Protection Commission Year-End Press Briefing
"AI Regulation, Creating an Independent Model"

Ko Hak-su, Chairman of the Personal Information Protection Commission, is reporting on work during the National Assembly's hearing on the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and the Personal Information Protection Commission held by the Political Affairs Committee on the 19th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

"We will play a role on the international stage."

On the 21st, Ko Hak-su, Chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission, stated this regarding next year's operational goals at the year-end meeting with the press corps.

Chairperson Ko evaluated that the commission has already begun to gain influence globally. He said, "Most countries around the world have personal information-related laws, but only a few have actually applied and operated these laws," adding, "In Asia, South Korea is the only country with practical experience. We feel that there is significant international interest in Korea."

He continued, "When global big tech executives visit Korea, they make sure to stop by the commission. Representatives from Microsoft, Google, and Meta have also visited the commission directly," and added, "When disputes arise, foreign companies actively cooperate. Global big tech companies cannot ignore Korea."

Last year, the commission issued corrective orders and imposed fines of about 100 billion KRW on Google and Meta for collecting and using third-party behavioral information without consent for targeted advertising purposes. This year, it also imposed fines on OpenAI for leaking personal information, including credit card numbers, of about 600 domestic users.

Additionally, in 2025, the Global Privacy Assembly (GPA), the world's largest international conference on personal information, will be held in Seoul. The GPA is an international consortium of personal information supervisory authorities, with 137 institutions from 89 countries including South Korea, the United States, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan. In October, the commission was unanimously selected by member countries as the host for the 47th assembly in 2025.

Established in 2020 and entering its fifth year next year, Chairperson Ko described the commission as being at a stage of leaping to the second phase. While the commission has so far established major principles related to personal information protection and AI regulation, it now intends to concretely apply these principles to real life and lead changes.

The commission is preparing to release the enforcement decree related to MyData, scheduled to take effect in March 2025, by June next year. It also plans to announce guidelines next year regarding targeted advertising, a core business of big tech and other IT companies.

Regarding the stance on AI regulation, Chairperson Ko said, "We will develop a unique Korean model." He explained, "Europe, which has a weak AI industry base, focuses on regulation, while the United States emphasizes technology development; both prioritize national interests," adding, "We will consider Korea's global market position."

When asked about regrets in operating the commission, Chairperson Ko cited insufficient personnel and budget. He stated, "Although litigation with big tech companies continues, we lack manpower and budget," and added, "There are high expectations for Korea from a global perspective, but there has been almost no budget for international events so far."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.