The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AmCham) convened business leaders and regulators in Seoul to examine how cross-border data rules must evolve in the age of artificial intelligence, according to reporting by the Korea Herald.
The policy dialogue, held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, brought together roughly 80 representatives from multinational companies and the broader business community. At the center of the discussion was Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) Chair Song Kyung-hee, who outlined the government’s direction for Korea’s data protection framework in 2026.
Song emphasized the growing challenge of balancing data utilization with privacy safeguards as AI adoption accelerates across industries. With digital services increasingly dependent on large-scale data flows, she said Korea is working to strengthen governance mechanisms that enable international data transfers while maintaining public trust.
According to the Korea Herald, the PIPC plans to introduce a more structured framework for cross-border data governance. This will include internationally recognized tools such as Standard Contractual Clauses and Binding Corporate Rules, alongside safeguards like data transfer impact assessments designed to evaluate potential risks.
AmCham Chairman and CEO James Kim underscored the importance of regulatory alignment between Korea and the United States, particularly as both countries prioritize AI in their economic strategies. He noted that improving interoperability in data governance and cross-border data flows will be critical to unlocking innovation and investment.
Kim also pointed to concerns within the business community, citing AmCham’s 2026 Korea Business Environment Survey, which found that more than 65 percent of respondents view Korea’s regulatory environment as restrictive. He suggested that continued reform will be necessary to support global competitiveness.
Industry representatives from sectors including technology platforms, IT, and financial services contributed perspectives during the session, reflecting the broad impact of evolving data rules.
As highlighted in Korea Herald reporting, the discussion signals Korea’s ongoing effort to align its data protection regime with global standards while fostering trust-based international data cooperation in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
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