A bill introduced on 14 August 2026 would amend the Charges Management Framework Act (부담금관리 기본법) to add a new item to its schedule (안 별표 제97호), creating the statutory basis for an "AI Transition Response Levy" (인공지능 전환 대응 분담금). The levy would be imposed on businesses recognized as having, or expected to have, a significant effect on employment — including job displacement — through the introduction of AI and automation technologies. The bill was introduced by Rep. Lee Hae-min, Rep. Lee Ju-hee, and 21 other lawmakers, and is currently at the "received" (접수) stage — the earliest point in the legislative process, before any committee review.

The amendment is explicitly contingent on a separate bill: the "Basic Social Act for Response to AI Transition" (인공지능 전환 대응을 위한 기본사회법안, Bill No. 20608), sponsored by the same two lead members, which would establish the underlying levy framework. This amendment only supplies the enabling schedule entry under the general Charges Management Framework Act; if the base bill fails to pass, or passes in amended form, the drafters note this amendment would need to be adjusted accordingly. No levy amount, calculation method, trigger threshold, effective date, or penalty has been specified in either bill at this stage.

What this means for you

  • No obligation exists yet. This is a first-reading-stage proposal (접수) with no committee action, no threshold, and no effective date. Nothing is currently payable or due.
  • Track two bills together, not one. The levy mechanism depends entirely on the companion "Basic Social Act for Response to AI Transition" (Bill No. 20608) passing first or concurrently. Watching this amendment alone will not tell you whether or how the levy takes shape — the definitions of "significant impact on employment" and any rate or threshold will likely originate in the base act.
  • Flag it if your Korean operations involve workforce restructuring tied to AI adoption. If you operate in Korea and are introducing AI or automation in ways that affect headcount or role displacement, this is the earliest possible point to start watching — well before any designation or filing duty would attach.
  • Re-check at committee referral. A bill at the received stage can stall indefinitely or move quickly once assigned to committee; the practical question of whether this becomes law is decided at that next stage, not this one.

Source: (no source URL was provided with this bill record)