Commissioner McGrath welcomes Korea’s adoption of Equivalence Decision for the EU

Commissioner McGrath welcomes Korea's adoption of Equivalence Decision for the EU

European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath visited the Republic of Korea on 15-16 September to advance personal data protection and trusted EU-Korea data flows. Alongside his keynote speech at the 47^th Global Privacy Assembly, Commissioner McGrath's visit allowed him to meet with Justice Minister Sung-ho JUNG, the President of the Korean Consumer Agency, Soo Hyun YOON, and the Chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission of the Republic of Korea (PIPC), Haksoo KO. The meeting with the PIPC included a ceremonial moment to celebrate the adoption of the EU-Korea mutual adequacy decision, which now enables free and secure data transfers of personal data.

On the first day, Commissioner McGrath was welcomed by EU Ambassador Designate Ugo Astuto and the Delegation team for a comprehensive briefing on EU-RoK relations. The Delegation then hosted a roundtable with representatives from European and Korean businesses - spanning professional services, manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, and food and beverage sectors - together with the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK). Business representatives shared insights into their sectors in Korea, voiced concerns, and presented recommendations to further strengthen EU-RoK cooperation, with a particular focus on consumer protection, the rule of law, secure data flows, and data protection.

Following the roundtable, Commissioner McGrath held a press conference with major Korean media outlets, where he outlined the objectives of his visit and responded to journalists' questions.

On 16 September, Commissioner McGrath held bilateral meetings with international data protection authorities from the United States, Australia, and Brazil, as well as key Korean partners and the President of Korean Consumer Agency, Soo Hyun YOON, with whom he exchanged on enforcement trends. Both agreed to look into closer engagement in the future through an informal consumer dialogue.

At the 47th Global Privacy Assembly on "Artificial Intelligence in Our Daily Lives: Data and Privacy Issues" McGrath delivered a keynote address on the EU's evolving regulatory approach to AI its interrelation with data protection and privacy frameworks.

One of the highlights of the visit was to celebrate Korea's equivalence decision for the EU, which enables trusted, free-flowing data transfers in both directions. Both, the Commissioner and Chairperson Haksoo KO of the Personal Information Protection Commission of the Republic of Korea (PIPC), delivered statements at a joint ceremony marking the successful completion of the EU-Korea mutual adequacy process. This milestone demonstrates both sides' shared commitment to an open, trusted, and digital future, supporting trade, digital cooperation, and competitiveness, and directly benefitting over 500 million people and a €150 billion annual trade relationship.

Commissioner McGrath concluded his visit after a constructive meeting with Korea's Minister for Justice. Discussions focused on justice and AI, digital justice, Eurojust and the rule of law. He then left the RoK and continued his mission to Japan to engage with East Asian partners.