South Korea’s accessibility laws
Understand South Korea's digital accessibility requirements and learn what your organization must do to meet them. Whether you're in the public or private sector, Deque can help you create digital experiences that are compliant and inclusive of everyone, including people with disabilities.
What are South Korea's digital accessibility laws and standards?
The Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities (2014) is a cornerstone of South Korea’s efforts to ensure equal rights and access for individuals with disabilities, including digital accessibility.
The Korean Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (KWCAG 2.1) provide clear standards for digital accessibility, aligning with WCAG 2.1 and including some South Korea-specific requirements.
Disability and digital accessibility in South Korea
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5.1% of South Korea’s population has a disability.
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South Korea has one of the world’s highest smartphone penetration rates at 95%.
Why digital accessibility is right for your organization
The benefits of offering accessible products and services are wide-ranging and include:
Equality and inclusion
Being accessible ensures compliance with South Korea’s strong disability rights laws and allows everyone to engage with your digital properties.
Trust and loyalty
Prioritizing accessibility demonstrates your commitment to social responsibility in South Korea’s highly connected society.
Innovation and competitiveness
Meeting KWCAG 2.1 standards positions your organization as a leader in South Korea’s advanced digital economy.
The risks of non-compliance
Failure to comply with South Korea’s accessibility laws can have serious consequences:
Fines
Failing to meet accessibility standards can result in penalties of up to 5 million won under the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities.
Lawsuits
Non-compliance can lead to legal action and damage to your reputation.
Loss of business
Inaccessible platforms exclude millions of potential customers in South Korea’s tech-savvy market.
Choose Deque for digital accessibility in South Korea
Regional experts
Deque has offices and employees worldwide with deep knowledge of local guidelines.
Strategic Consulting
Our Principal Strategy Consultants help build, run and improve the world’s largest digital accessibility programs.
Trusted and proven tools
Our axe accessibility testing tools are the defacto global standard with 875,000+ installs
Frequently asked questions
South Korea’s Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities ensures equal access to digital services, while KWCAG 2.1 provides technical accessibility standards.
Yes, compliance is required for public sector websites, and it is strongly recommended for private organizations to avoid legal risks.
Aligning with KWCAG ensures your digital content meets South Korea’s accessibility standards while being compatible with global WCAG 2.1 requirements.