ROK Government Policy Update: 대한민국 정부 정책 업데이트 — 2026-04-21
On Science Day, April 21, 2026, the government unveiled plans for its largest-ever R&D budget and significant AI infrastructure expansion. Meanwhile, the 434th extraordinary parliamentary session is underway this week, featuring critical discussions on industrial policy. The policy focus remains firmly on fostering high-tech industries and regulatory reform.
Key Policy and Legislative Changes
🔬 Ministry of Science and ICT — AI Infrastructure and R&D Budget Expansion
Marking Science Day (April 21), Ha Jung-woo, a key figure in AI policy, announced a goal of securing 260,000 GPUs, emphasizing the need to provide both "infrastructure and prestige" for AI talent. With the largest R&D budget in history being deployed this year, the government is accelerating its push to become a global AI powerhouse.
🏛️ National Assembly — 434th Extraordinary Session
The 7th plenary session of the 434th extraordinary parliamentary session is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, at 2:00 PM. Additionally, the "Policy Forum for Shifting Industrial Support Paradigms," organized by the National Assembly Forum for Future Industries, will be held on Tuesday, April 21, at 9:30 AM in the second small committee room of the National Assembly Members' Office Building.
🗳️ Democratic Party of Korea — Political Reform Bill Passed
A political reform bill featuring an expanded multi-member district system and more proportional representation for municipal councils has passed the National Assembly. The Democratic Party stated that this provides an institutional foundation to better reflect diversity and representation in local councils. The bill was passed on April 18, triggering a series of follow-up political activities starting April 19, 2026.
🚀 Startup Support — 'Modu-ui Startup' Platform Hits 10,000 Users in 25 Days
The government-led 'Modu-ui Startup' platform has surpassed 10,000 participants in just 25 days, revealing significant latent demand for entrepreneurship. The achievement, reported based on data from the Sejong region, is being highlighted as a success for the government's startup ecosystem revitalization policy.
Regulatory Improvements and Administrative Changes
📋 Ministry of Economy and Finance — Regulatory Innovation for High-Tech Strategy Industries
The Ministry of Economy and Finance has announced a plan to review regulations on high-tech strategic industries and support systems for SMEs. The goal is to build an ecosystem where companies feel confident investing and growing, ultimately lowering regulatory burdens for those entering advanced industries.
⚠️ EU AI Act Response — Need for Proactive Governance Platforms
According to AIreg (govbrief.kr), an AI regulatory analysis platform, Openlayer has launched a governance platform to support compliance with the EU AI Act. As Korean companies eye expansion into the EU, the need for such regulatory tools is growing, making early system adoption urgent.
🏗️ Serious Accidents Punishment Act — Continued Corporate Burden
While 63.8% of domestic companies view the current government's regulatory improvement efforts positively, about half still report feeling burdened by the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. In 2026, the government plans to focus on expanding inspection targets and strengthening compliance requirements for construction subcontracting.
Policy Impact and Upcoming Schedule
- AI & R&D Budget Impact: The record R&D budget for 2026, combined with the push to secure 260,000 GPUs, is expected to directly enhance domestic AI competitiveness and attract top-tier talent.
- Assembly Plenary Session: The 7th plenary session is set for Thursday, April 23, at 2:00 PM to deliberate on various policy agendas.
- Democratic Party Leadership Elections: The Democratic Party will elect a new floor leader and candidates for the Speaker of the 22nd National Assembly (second half) next month (May). These elections, occurring ahead of the June 3 local elections and the August party convention, are expected to shape the future political agenda.
- 'Modu-ui Startup' Expansion: The future growth of this platform will serve as a key indicator for the scale and direction of upcoming startup support policies.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
Powered by
