Personal Information Protection Commission holds fourth forum on cross-border data

The Personal Information Protection Commission held its fourth plenary meeting of the 2026 Personal Information Future Forum on Thursday, bringing together 40 experts from academia, law, industry and civil society to balance data protection with global business needs.

Participants focused on rising demand for international data movement driven by artificial intelligence and digital services, examining hurdles privacy officers face in complying with existing transfer regulations. Attendees reached a consensus on expanding safe transfer mechanisms, such as standard contract clauses and binding corporate rules, to support global corporate activities and joint research projects.

Kim Do-yup, a lawyer on the commission's specialized committee on overseas transfers, analyzed the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation alongside domestic frameworks, emphasizing that the current moment is critical for developing the national cross-border transfer system. Yoon Soo-young, secretary general of the Korea Privacy Officers Association, shared specific difficulties organizations encounter when adhering to current laws and called for institutional improvements.

The meeting took place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Post Tower in Jung District, Seoul.

Commission Chairperson Song Kyung-hee said refining institutions to protect data subject rights while enabling data utilization in fields like international research is vital. She added that the body will formulate policies to ensure safe overseas data transfers so companies and research institutes can pursue innovation globally without unnecessary constraints.