[Background]

As the "Digital Inclusion Act" (Act No. 20672, promulgated on January 21, 2025, and effective from January 22, 2026) was enacted to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life for members of society and to social integration by prescribing matters related to the promotion of digital inclusion and the fostering of related industries, the purpose of this (Enforcement Decree) is to prescribe matters delegated by the Act and those necessary for its enforcement.

[Main Points]

A. Procedures for Establishing the Basic Plan and Implementation Plans (Draft Articles 2 & 3)

1. The Minister of Science and ICT (MSIT) shall officially announce the contents on the MSIT's official website when the Basic Plan is confirmed or amended.

2. The heads of related central administrative agencies and local governments who intend to change matters in the Implementation Plan for the following year that involve two or more central administrative agencies or local governments, or matters requiring budgetary action exceeding an amount determined and published by the MSIT Minister, shall submit the contents to the MSIT Minister.

B. Classification of Status Surveys (Draft Article 5)

1. Status surveys conducted by the MSIT Minister shall be classified into:

   • Regular Surveys: Conducted annually for the establishment and execution of digital inclusion policies.

   • Ad-hoc Surveys: Conducted when the MSIT Minister deems it necessary for the establishment and execution of the Basic Plan and Implementation Plans.

2. When the MSIT Minister requests the submission of data necessary for a status survey, the request shall be notified in writing, clearly specifying the scope and content of the data, the reason for the request, and the submission deadline.

C. Scope and Procedures for Impact Assessment (Draft Articles 6 & 7)

1. This draft establishes criteria for the heads of state agencies to select plans and projects subject to their self-impact assessment and specifies cases that can be excluded from the self-impact assessment.

2. When the MSIT Minister intends to conduct an individual impact assessment, they shall establish a plan for the assessment and notify the head of the relevant state agency accordingly.

D. Designation of Digital Competency Centers and Digital Competency Support Centers (Draft Articles 11 & 12)

1. Entities designated as Digital Competency Centers shall submit their annual business plan for the relevant year to the MSIT Minister by January 31st of each year.

2. The MSIT Minister may designate public institutions under the Act on the Management of Public Institutions or government-funded research institutes under the Act on the Establishment, Operation, and Fostering of Government-funded Research Institutions, etc. as Digital Competency Support Centers.

E. Provision of Convenience for Using Kiosks (Unmanned Information Terminals) (Draft Article 16)

1. Entities that install and operate kiosks shall take measures corresponding to one or more of the following:

   • Deploying personnel to assist with kiosk use.

   • Providing real-time voice guidance services.

   • Installing kiosks that meet technical evaluation standards.

   • Providing software compatible with the kiosks.

   • Providing websites or application software installable on mobile devices to assist with kiosk use.

2. Entities that manufacture kiosks shall manufacture kiosks that meet technical evaluation standards or be equipped with the technical competence and production capacity to manufacture them within a period determined and published by the MSIT Minister.

3. Entities that lease kiosks shall lease kiosks that meet the evaluation standards if requested by the party intending to lease them.

F. Verification Standards for Smart Information Products Subject to Priority Procurement (Draft Article 27)

The verification standards for Smart Information Products subject to priority procurement shall be subdivided into technical evaluation standards and usability evaluation standards.

G. Procedures for Designating Promising Digital Inclusion Technologies/Services (Draft Articles 31 & 32)

1. When designating promising digital inclusion technologies/services, the MSIT Minister shall undergo deliberation by the Information and Communications Strategy Committee under Article 7 of the Special Act on the Promotion of Information and Communications and Convergence.

2. The MSIT Minister may provide necessary support, such as hosting consulting sessions and providing information, when state agencies intend to utilize the promising digital inclusion technologies/services on a priority basis.