Integrated Guidelines for Installing Unmanned Kiosks to Be Introduced

Complex Regulations on Unmanned Devices Burden Small Business Owners
Integrated Guidelines to Be Prepared by Next Year

As the digital transformation accelerates and labor costs rise, the adoption of unmanned devices such as kiosks and self-checkout counters is spreading. However, there are growing concerns that the complex application of various laws is becoming a burden when installing these unmanned devices. This is because small business owners must check not only the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities but also local government ordinances in their installation areas. In response, the government has decided to establish integrated guidelines by next year.

On September 4, Choi Seungjae, the Small and Medium Business Ombudsman, announced that he held the "2025 Daegu Gyeongbuk Region Small Business Owners' On-site Meeting" at the Daegu Trade Center, where he listened to regulatory and operational difficulties raised by local small business owners.

During this meeting, issues were raised regarding the complex regulations and administrative burdens faced by small business owners when introducing unmanned information terminals (such as kiosks and self-checkout counters). Representative A stated, "Under the current system, if a small, one-person business wants to install a kiosk, they must individually check various laws, including the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, the Basic Act on Intelligent Informatization, and local government ordinances." He added, "Small business owners are experiencing significant difficulties in identifying and complying with the relevant standards on their own."

In response to the ombudsman's proposal, the Ministry of Health and Welfare replied that it will provide integrated guidelines that comprehensively organize multiple laws, allowing small business owners to easily check the necessary regulations and licensing requirements when installing and operating unmanned devices. The guidelines will include practical information such as instructions on required permits and a checklist. A representative from the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated, "We recognize that the standards for unmanned information terminals are presented differently in each law, causing confusion in the field. Based on the results of a recent research project, we plan to provide 'Guidelines for Accessible Unmanned Information Terminals' in 2026."

Additionally, at this meeting, there was a proposal that the obligation to attach IoT (Internet of Things) measuring devices under the Clean Air Conservation Act should be applied more flexibly to small business workplaces. Participants also made suggestions to ease the eligibility requirements for self-employed persons to receive employment insurance, relax regulations on small business franchisees of corporate supermarkets, improve regulations for reducing or expanding traditional market zones, and revise the issuance criteria for startup business certificates.

Choi Seungjae, the Small and Medium Business Ombudsman, stated, "We will continue to do our best to create an environment where small business owners can focus solely on running their businesses."

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