The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) will prioritize the allocation of over 4,000 advanced GPUs, including 2,296 H200s and 2,040 B200s, to industry, academia, and research institutions from the 13,000 GPUs secured this year.
This initiative aims to support AI research, development, and the creation of innovative services, with a call for project proposals open until January 28, 2025, via an online platform (AIinfrahub.kr).
Academic and research institutions can use them free of charge, while the industry (SMEs, startups) will pay 5-10% of market price, with preferential treatment for regional companies and additional reviews for large-scale projects.

The Ministry of Justice decided the revision of contract law at the State Council meeting on the 16th as the first step toward modernizing the Civil Code.
The revision includes allowing adjustments to the statutory interest rate and enabling cancellation of declarations of intent made under gaslighting situations.
This marks the beginning of a comprehensive overhaul of the Civil Code, which had remained largely unchanged since its enactment in 1958.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has announced a partial revision of the Airport Act enforcement decree and rules.
Navigation safety facilities around runways must now be made of breakable materials, and airports are required to establish long-term bird strike prevention plans.
Annual risk assessments within a 13km radius of airports and minimum staffing requirements for bird strike prevention are also mandated.

The government launched an illegal spam blocking system on the 17th to verify and block bulk message sender numbers in real time.
The Ministry of Science and ICT, along with KTOA and the three major mobile carriers, will pre-block spam messages sent via invalid numbers.
Previously, the government established guidelines to block overseas bulk messages and introduced Google’s EFP for enhanced fraud protection.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) is transitioning from an entry-focused quarantine system to one centered on traveler health prevention and information.
This includes the introduction of AI-based quarantine systems, customized health information services, and enhanced hygiene management for transportation by 2027.
An integrated health information platform for travelers, expanded respiratory testing for inbound travelers, and revised quarantine management areas are also part of the plan.

Starting next year, the non-taxable limit for childbirth and childcare expenses will be expanded to 200,000 KRW per child, and extracurricular academy fees will be included in education tax deductions.
Liquid-type e-cigarettes will now be classified as tobacco products, subjecting them to advertising and online sales restrictions.
Additional tax benefits include separate taxation on dividend income, expanded rent tax credits, and tax exemption on youth savings interest.