South Korea’s presidential office launched the National AI Committee at the end of September to advance its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, adopting a flexible regulatory framework as it looks to become a top three player in this space.

But the decision to launch the committee arguably reflects ROK political division more than the exigencies of the emerging AI industry. There are currently six AI-related bills proposed in the National Assembly, but lawmakers are still in the process of gathering opinions regarding the bills’ regulatory content.