Tax agency adds staff to counter AI and cloud security risks

The tax agency said Friday it will expand its headquarters workforce and bolster cybersecurity teams to address rising risks from artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

The government cited the deepening integration of AI, the rapid spread of cloud services, and a shift toward a platform economy as the primary drivers for the changes. These factors have led to a surge in large-scale, high-risk personal data processing, necessitating immediate reinforcement against data leaks and cyber intrusions into government systems.

At the tax agency, headquarters staffing will rise from 907 to 915 positions, an increase of eight general staff members. Conversely, the total headcount at affiliated tax offices will decrease by three, dropping from 20,209 to 20,206. Four of the six new information security specialists at headquarters are fresh hires, while two were transferred from lower-level offices. Of the two planned personal data protection roles, one is a new addition and the other comes from reassigning an existing employee from an affiliated branch.

The comprehensive revision covers 36 separate laws, including the decree governing the National Tax Service and its affiliated organizations. The amendments were promulgated on August 28, 2026, with the changes taking effect immediately.