South Korea Mandates AI Ad Labels from 2026 to Curb Deepfake Surge

• South Korea will mandate labeling of AI-generated advertisements starting next year to combat deceptive promotions and deepfake scams.
• The new regulations aim to curb a surge in problematic ads featuring fabricated experts or deepfaked celebrities endorsing products on social media.
• The government plans to revise laws for implementation by early 2026, requiring creators to label AI content and prohibiting label removal.
• Officials will increase fines, introduce punitive penalties, and strengthen monitoring and takedown procedures for false AI-generated ads.
• Despite concerns over AI misuse, South Korea is also boosting its AI capabilities and semiconductor industry, including R&D and manufacturing.

Why It Matters: This policy protects consumers from deceptive AI-generated ads and deepfake scams.