SINGAPORE, SEOUL – December 15, 2021 – BSA | The Software Alliance applauds the governments of South Korea and Singapore on their announced conclusion of the Korea-Singapore Digital Partnership Agreement (KSDPA), which contains a broad and diverse set of disciplines relating to artificial intelligence, software source code, encryption, open government data, data transfers, and data localization, as well as paperless trading and electronic payments.

"We are encouraged to see that South Korea and Singapore are seeking to achieve greater alignment on matters of digital governance and trade through the Korea-Singapore Digital Partnership Agreement," said Jared Ragland, Senior Director, Policy – APAC. "We look forward to reviewing the text of the agreement, including with respect to commitments regarding responsible and secure cross-border data transfers. Many companies from around the world face a range of cross-border data restrictions in South Korea, and we hope that this agreement will lead to a new policy direction.”

The KSPDA reportedly promotes: (1) AI governance and ethics frameworks that support the trusted, safe, and responsible use of AI-based technologies; (2) electronic access to open government data; (3) online consumer protection; (4) interoperable frameworks for digital identities and e-payments; and (5) paperless trading (e.g., via electronic versions of trade administration documents). The KSDPA also reportedly prohibits: (1) mandates requiring as a condition of market access the transfer of, or access to, encryption keys or source code, including algorithms expressed in the source code; (2) localization requirements; and (3) certain restrictions on data transfers.