Policy & Pragmatic Strategies

South Korea is undergoing a rapid transformation in digital accessibility, driven by strengthened legislation and proactive government initiatives. New mandates are reshaping how both public agencies and private businesses ensure their websites, mobile apps, kiosks and other digital platforms are inclusive for people with disabilities, older adults and other “digitally vulnerable” groups.

This article provides an overview of South Korea’s accessibility landscape, from legal requirements to strategic guidance, aimed at compliance officers and corporate decision makers. The focus is on practical steps businesses can take to comply with policies and build accessible e commerce sites, government services and corporate websites in a way that is both legally sound and strategically smart.

1.    A Strong Legal Framework for Digital Accessibility

1.1    Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

Enacted in 2008 and amended in 2014, the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and Remedy for Infringement of Their Rights bans disability-based discrimination and explicitly requires accessibility in digital spaces.
Under the DDA, organisations must provide reasonable accommodation, any modification or adjustment that enables a person with a disability to access information, services, or opportunities on an equal basis.

Key digital obligations include:

•    Websites & Digital Information: Provide text alternatives (for example, alt text for images), captions and transcripts for multimedia, Braille or large print documents and compatibility with assistive technologies

•    Telecommunications & Media: Ensure closed captions on broadcasts, Korean Sign Language interpretation, audio description for video and accessible relay services for users with hearing or speech impairments

•    Public Services & Events: Offer sign language interpreters, real-time text support, and hearing assistance devices at public meetings, online town halls, and cultural events

•    Publications & Cultural Content: Release books, reports and museum materials in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic) as needed

Failing to provide reasonable accommodation, without valid justification, is considered discrimination. Complaints go to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), which can issue corrective recommendations. Non-compliance may incur fines up to ₩30 million (approximately USD 25,000) or, in wilful cases, criminal charges.

2.    KWCAG: Korea’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

South Korea’s technical standard is KWCAG 2.1 (KS X OT 0003), managed by the National Information Society Agency under MSIT. It mirrors WCAG 2.1 principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust, while adding mobile-specific success criteria and Korean language considerations (for example, handling Hangul text).

•    Mandate: Level AA conformance for all central and local government sites

•    De Facto Benchmark: Voluntary adoption by private sector organisations in finance, e-commerce, tech, and large enterprises as a compliance safe harbour under the DDA and as a mark of quality

•    Evolution: From KWCAG 1.0 in 2004 to 2.0 in 2010 and 2.1 in 2019, standards have expanded from basic web pages to include mobile apps, kiosks and emerging platforms

3.    Government Initiatives Driving Progress

3.1    Annual Web Accessibility Survey (MSIT)

MSIT evaluates over 1,000 websites each year across government, finance, retail, media and transportation. The average compliance score has risen from 53.7 in 2019 to 60.9 in 2022, indicating gradual improvement, but notable gaps remain, especially among small and mid-sized organizations.

3.2    Digital Divide Survey (MSIT)

This survey tracks device ownership, internet usage, and digital skills among “vulnerable groups” (people with disabilities, older adults). The digitalisation level climbed from 75.4 percent in 2021 to 76.2 percent in 2022, yet disparities in training and access remain.

3.3    Barrier-Free Kiosk Program

In May 2025, MSIT allocated ₩9.2 billion to subsidise and consult with small kiosk developers (ATMs, ticket machines, self-checkout) on retrofitting hardware and software for accessibility. Solutions include screen reader software modules and tactile interfaces that can be added without full hardware replacement. This initiative reduces compliance barriers for small businesses and accelerates nationwide deployment of accessible kiosks.

4.    Demographics and the Case for Inclusion

•    Registered persons with disabilities: approximately 2.7 million (5.3 percent of the population)

•    Aging within the disabled population: share aged 65 and over rose from 37.1 percent in 2010 to 54.3 percent in 2023

•    Internet and smartphone use among seniors (65 and over): 76.6 percent and 76.5 percent, respectively, in 2022

As South Korea’s population rapidly ages, digital platforms must accommodate age-related impairments such as vision loss and dexterity challenges. Failure to do so risks excluding a growing segment of both older adults and persons with disabilities.

5.    Strategic, Pragmatic Roadmap

1.    Commit to Accessibility Culture
•    Publish a clear accessibility statement citing the DDA and KWCAG
•    Embed accessibility training in onboarding; appoint departmental accessibility champions

2.    Baseline Assessment
•    Automated AiSC Scanning: crawl all websites, subdomains and mobile apps to flag missing alt text, low contrast, unlabelled form fields and ARIA issues
•    Expert Manual Audit: test critical user flows with screen readers, keyboard only navigation and other assistive technologies

3.    Triage and Remediation
•    Showstoppers: fix barriers that prevent key tasks (for example, inaccessible login, checkout or lack of video captions) immediately
•    Quick Wins: add descriptive alt text, ensure keyboard operability and meet colour contrast thresholds
•    Systemic Roadmap: address semantic heading structures, ARIA roles, accessible PDF tagging, dynamic text resizing and mobile UI best practices

4.    Integrate into Development and Procurement
•    CI/CD Checks: incorporate accessibility linters and scheduled scans in build pipelines
•    Design Systems: use accessibility vetted components and pattern libraries
•    Vendor Requirements: require VPATs or conformance reports from third-party providers in RFPs and contracts

5.    Continuous Monitoring with AiSC
•    Schedule weekly or monthly automated audits and track compliance percentages in executive dashboards
•    Set alerts for regressions (for example, if a release drops below 80 percent compliance)
•    Collect real user feedback via an on-site accessibility issue form to complement automated data

6.    Inclusive Support and Alternatives
•    Provide an accessible helpdesk (relay calls, SMS/chat support, trained staff)
•    Offer alternate formats (Braille, large print, audio) on request within a defined timeframe
•    When advanced features remain inaccessible, supply text summaries and direct support contacts

7.    Regulatory Watch and Future Proofing
•    Monitor updates from MSIT, NHRCK, and NIA
•    Prepare for upcoming standards (WCAG 2.2, WCAG 3.0) and Korea’s AI Framework Act (effective 2026)
•    Anticipate new accessibility needs in AI interfaces, chatbots, VR/AR, and voice-activated services

6.    Business Case: Risks and Rewards

Aspect                                 Risks                                                                                Rewards
Legal             Fines up to ₩30 million; corrective orders; litigation      Safe harbor via WCAG alignment; global compliance readiness
Reputation    Negative publicity; loss of 2.7 million customers            Enhanced brand image; customer loyalty
Operational   Legacy support overhead                                              Cleaner code; SEO and performance gains
Strategic       Missed partnerships and contracts                                Access to government contracts; market differentiation

Conclusion

South Korea’s strengthened legal mandates and proactive government programs make digital accessibility both an obligation and an opportunity. By following a structured, pragmatic approach, anchored in baseline audits, prioritised remediation, integration into workflows, and continuous AiSC powered monitoring, organisations can achieve and sustain compliance. Beyond legal risk mitigation, accessibility can drive innovation, improve user experience for all users, and unlock new market opportunities in South Korea and beyond.

Corporate decision makers should view accessibility as an essential component of digital strategy that ensures no user, regardless of ability or age, is left behind. That is sound business strategy and social responsibility combined.