Governing AI: Legislative Preferences and Challenges in Korea’s National Assembly

• In Event: AI Adoption in Public Management and Leadership

Abstract

As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies continue to influence both the public and private sectors, the urgency of developing effective governance frameworks has grown. In December 2024, South Korea passed the AI Act, becoming the second jurisdiction globally, after the European Union (EU), to enact comprehensive AI regulation. This legislation underscores South Korea’s proactive role in AI governance but also highlights significant challenges, including tensions between centralized control, public engagement, and stakeholder inclusion. For instance, debates on ethical AI implementation, data privacy, and compliance with international standards expose divergent views among policymakers regarding how to balance innovation with regulation; some emphasize the need for stringent ethical AI standards and robust data privacy regulations to protect public trust, while others prioritize fostering innovation by advocating for flexible, industry-driven guidelines and minimal regulatory intervention, highlighting a divide over how to balance societal protections with economic competitiveness (Jo, 2024; Simon, 2024). This study investigates these complexities by focusing on South Korea’s National Assembly, which plays a pivotal role in shaping the country’s AI policy landscape.

Despite this milestone, there is limited understanding of the perspectives of key stakeholders, including legislators, staff, career bureaucrats, and researchers, who are instrumental in shaping AI policy. To address this gap, this study investigates preferences among legislators, staff, career bureaucrats, and researchers within South Korea’s National Assembly. By conducting a conjoint experiment, the study examines six central governance dimensions: responsible agency, regulatory formality, primary stakeholder involvement, public engagement, centralization versus decentralization, and the scope of international cooperation. The study draws on responses from over 200 participants, providing a robust basis for exploring how policymakers prioritize these dimensions.

By analyzing the interplay between national and international governance trends, the study contextualizes South Korea’s approach within global practices (Floridi et al., 2018; Nemitz, 2018). The analysis highlights Korea’s unique balancing act between centralized regulation and public engagement, distinguishing it from jurisdictions like the EU and the United States, which adopt contrasting governance frameworks (Cheong, 2024). Findings from this research hold broader implications for governance theory and practice. By identifying actionable policy insights, the study contributes to the development of responsive governance models that address the complexities of regulating advanced technologies. The research also offers practical recommendations for policymakers, emphasizing frameworks that accommodate diverse stakeholder interests while maintaining accountability and societal trust. In this way, it advances theoretical and policy discussions on adaptive governance, illustrating how national legislatures can effectively respond to emerging technological challenges in rapidly evolving landscapes.

Authors

• Chee Hae Chung, Purdue University
  Presenting Author

• Daniel S. Schiff, Purdue University
  Non-Presenting Co-Author