The Korean Data Protection Authority (PIPC) publishes guidelines for foreign companies

24 July 2024

In order to help foreign companies wishing to develop a business in South Korea, the PIPC publishes explanatory guidelines to help them comply with the South Korean personal data protection law.

The Personal Information Protection Commission of South Korea (PIPC) recently published guidelines to help foreign companies to comply with the South Korean personal data protection law.

When a foreign company processes data of South Korean citizens or carries out personal data processing on South Korean territory, it is subject to Korean legislation.

The guidelines specify the main legal provisions in force, as well as some decisions taken by the PIPC or by local courts, in order to clarify the applicable legislation for companies. They also clarify recent developments in South Korean legislation and case law in this area.

The aim is to incentivize foreign companies to adopt robust data protection practices in order to protect south-Korean citizens. The guidelines contain educative scenarios stemming from past hearings with experts and foreign companies already operating in South Korea.