South KoreaWhat are the security obligations of a data processor?
A data processor in South Korea must implement technical and organizational security measures to protect personal data from leakage, loss, or damage, and must comply with instructions from the data controller.
What the Law Says
Under South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), data processors have binding security obligations when handling personal information on behalf of a controller.
Data processors must implement technical and managerial protective measures to prevent leakage, loss, alteration, or damage of personal information. These include access controls, encryption, regular security audits, and employee training.
Processors must act strictly within the scope of instructions from the data controller and may not process personal information for any other purpose without prior written consent.
A written contract is mandatory between the controller and processor, specifying the scope, duration, nature, and purpose of processing, as well as the security measures to be implemented.
In the event of a data breach, the processor must immediately notify the controller — who then bears responsibility for reporting to the Korea Data Agency (KDA) and affected individuals within 72 hours where feasible.
Statutory TextA personal information processor shall process personal information only within the scope prescribed by the personal information controller and shall not use such information for any purpose other than that prescribed by the controller.
— Personal Information Protection Act, s. 28 — Obligations of Personal Information Processors
Statutory TextA personal information processor shall take technical and managerial protective measures necessary to prevent leakage, loss, alteration, or damage of personal information.
— Personal Information Protection Act, s. 29 — Protective Measures by Personal Information Processors
Statutory TextWhere a personal information processor causes leakage, loss, alteration, or damage of personal information due to failure to take protective measures under Article 29, the personal information controller shall be held liable for damages caused thereby.
— Personal Information Protection Act, s. 30 — Liability of Personal Information Controller
What to Do
Enter into a written processing agreement with the controller that specifies security obligations and processing limits.
Implement encryption, access logs, intrusion detection, and staff training aligned with PIPA Article 29.
Immediately notify the controller upon detecting any security incident involving personal data.
Maintain records of processing activities and security measures for at least 3 years.
Appoint a responsible person for personal information protection if required (e.g., for large-scale or sensitive data processing).
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.