Korean bill seeks strict watermark mandate on AI-generated content
Korean bill seeks strict watermark mandate on AI-generated content
Publish Date: 2026-05-17 00:58:00
Source Domain: www.koreatimes.co.kr
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Deepfake Detection and AI Safety: On October 23, 2025, Science and ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon visits the Korea Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute to understand “deepfake detection and AI agent safety evaluation” efforts.
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Proposal for Watermarking AI Content: Lawmakers, including Rep. Kim Dai-sik, introduce a bill to amend Korea’s AI Basic Law mandating watermarks on AI-generated content to improve transparency.
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Current Gaps in Transparency Rules: The current AI law requires AI service providers to notify users about highly realistic AI-generated content, but does not specify format or placement, leading to loss of these notices in repackaged content.
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Proposal’s Focus on Watermarks: The new bill proposes embedding “codes, letters or symbols” directly into AI content to ensure these notices remain attached throughout edits, sharing, and downloading.
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Criminalization of Tampering with Watermarks: The bill would penalize those who damage, forge or alter watermarks with penalties of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won ($13,500).
