Actualités

Adoption of the adequacy decision for the transfer of personal data from the EU to Korea under RGPD norms

On December 17th, Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice and Yoon Jong In, Chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission in Korea adopted the European Commission's adequacy decision for the transfer of personal data from the EU to Korea under the General Data Protection Regulation. 

This adoption of the decision marked the final step in the process and confirmed the shared commitment of the EU and Korea to a high level of data protection after the conclusion of the adequacy talks in March 2021. It also acknowledges that Korea is an adequate jurisdiction and ensures a similar level of protection to EU for personal data under RGPD norms. 

 
During the past four years, Korea and EU have been conducting an in-depth review of the relevant laws and regulations, including the Personal Information Protection Act of Korea and duties of the relevant government agencies.   

Based on the decision, the EU commission stated that personal data will be able to transfer safely and freely from the EU to Korea to the benefit of citizens and economies on both sides, without any need for further authorizations or additional tools.  

The adequacy decision will complement the EU – Korea FTA with respect to personal data flows and will build on the strong protections for Europeans under Korean law when data is transferred, including through the additional safeguards that were agreed as part of the adequacy dialogue.  

The adequacy finding is expected to provide a unique opportunity to strengthen the strategic partnership between the EU and Korea and facilitate regulatory cooperation between public authorities. 

Read more: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_21_6915