South Korea became the first country in Asia to formally adopt an international certification system for artificial intelligence (AI) management according to the Korea Accreditation Board (KAB), which announced the launch of the program on Monday. The move is viewed as a reflection of the country’s growing stature as a global leader in AI governance.

Founded in 1995, KAB is the only nationally designated management system accreditation body under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. It oversees conformity assessments across 19 fields, including quality, environment, occupational safety, and nuclear supply chains.

The adoption of the AI Management System (ISO 42001) comes amid growing global efforts to legislate and standardize AI development and use. With the rapid expansion of AI technologies, institutions are increasingly recognizing the need for frameworks that ensure trustworthiness and accountability. Companies that develop, deploy, or offer AI-powered services are now expected to implement more responsible management systems.

KAB has operated a pilot accreditation program for AI Management Systems (AIMS) in line with ISO standards since June 2024. Three certification bodies - Korea Management Registrar (KMR), Korean Standards Association (KSA), and Korea Knowledge Standards Registrar - were recognized under the pilot phase and five leading companies have already acquired trial certifications.

ISO 42001, which was formally published in 2023, outlines standards and procedures that companies must follow when developing or using AI-related products and services. In Korea, the standard is expected to be adopted as a national standard (KS) in the second half of 2025 under the direction of the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards.

“An AI management system will serve as a powerful tool to proactively respond to the rapidly evolving AI environment and technology,” KAB CEO Park Jin-suh said.

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