Korea Kiosk Accessibility Rules (2026)
Korea's kiosk accessibility rule covers all kiosks from 28 January 2026. What the law requires, who may use alternatives and what to fix in the software.
Since 28 January 2026, every business or institution in Korea that installs a kiosk must provide reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities, under the Disability Discrimination Act and its enforcement decree. The standard route is a kiosk that meets the government's accessibility verification criteria plus a voice guide to the kiosk's location; small sites under 50 m², small business owners and table-order devices may use assistive devices, compatible software or staff and a call bell instead. Fines of up to KRW 30 million are possible after a correction order.
This article summarizes what the official sources say and what it means for the software running on the kiosk. It is not legal advice; check your own situation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare guidance or a lawyer.
What does Korea's kiosk accessibility rule require?
The rule sits in the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (장애인차별금지법) and its enforcement decree, which treat unmanned information terminals (무인정보단말기, the legal term for kiosks) as a place where "reasonable accommodation" must be provided so disabled people can use them on equal terms.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), a revision announced on 11 November 2025 replaced the earlier approach, which required a fixed set of features, with two routes:
| Route | Who can use it | What must be in place |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | All installers | A kiosk that meets the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) accessibility verification criteria, plus a device that gives voice guidance on where the kiosk is |
| Alternative (choose one) | Small neighbourhood facilities under 50 m², small business owners as defined in law, and sites using table-order type kiosks | Compatible assistive devices or software (MOHW gives examples such as ear jacks, detachable Braille keypads, screen readers and QR or NFC tags that link to an app), or assistance staff together with a call bell |
The MOHW press release points to the government's kiosk UI platform (kioskui.or.kr) for the list of verified products.
When did each phase apply?
The obligation was phased in by type of operator. MOHW's 28 January 2026 press release gives this timeline:
| Date | Who was covered |
|---|---|
| 28 January 2024 | Public institutions, educational institutions, medical institutions |
| 28 July 2024 | Welfare facilities, large cultural entities, businesses with 100 or more employees |
| 28 January 2025 | Tourism businesses and businesses with fewer than 100 employees |
| 28 January 2026 | Full application, including kiosks installed before the rules took effect |
MOHW also said enforcement would be applied flexibly in the early period, taking preparation and site conditions into account. That is a statement about enforcement, not an exemption, so plan as if the rule applies now.
What happens if a kiosk does not comply?
The MOHW release describes the path: a complaint can go to the National Human Rights Commission, which can recommend corrective action; the Minister of Justice can then issue a correction order, and failure to follow it can lead to a fine of up to KRW 30 million. Civil or criminal liability under the Act is also possible.
Which standards define an accessible kiosk?
Three documents come up when you design or buy a kiosk for the Korean market:
- MSIT kiosk accessibility verification criteria. The government's verification criteria, published as an annex on the national law portal, are the yardstick for the standard route. They split devices into medium or large (screen diagonal over 28 cm) and small (28 cm or less), and every device must pass the "basic" items regardless of type.
- KS X 9211, Accessibility guidelines for unmanned information terminals. A Korean Industrial Standard published on 25 February 2022. It covers installation environment, hardware, software and content, and is aimed at both manufacturers and service providers.
- Priority-purchase verification. NIA (National Information Society Agency) issued guidelines in 2023 for verifying "priority purchase" intelligent information products and designating test bodies; kioskui.or.kr lists the products that have passed.
If you are commissioning a new kiosk, ask the hardware supplier whether the model has passed verification and get the certificate. Software alone cannot make a non-compliant device compliant, because many criteria are physical.
What changes in the kiosk software?
Here are the verification criteria items that fall on the software side, paraphrased from the official annex. Use the original Korean text for anything you build against.
| Area | Criterion (summary) | What it means for the app |
|---|---|---|
| Time limits | If an action needs user input, allow enough time and warn at least 20 seconds before the time-out, with a way to extend | Replace silent "return to home" timers with a visible and spoken warning plus an "extend" control |
| Moving content | Users must be able to control content that changes automatically | Pause controls for carousels and promotional loops |
| Audio alternative | All essential visual information must also be available as audio, which the user can switch on or off | A complete voice mode, not just a welcome message |
| Personal listening | A connector for a personal listening device; when connected, audio goes to the headset and the speaker turns off | Detect the headset and reroute audio |
| Replay | Users can stop audio and replay it | Stop and replay keys in voice mode |
| Keypad navigation | Everything selectable on the touchscreen must also be selectable with the keypad, with a logical, visible focus order | Full keyboard or keypad focus management in every screen and popup |
| Text size and zoom | Essential text at least 7.25 mm high; text can be enlarged to 200% without losing content or functions | Layouts that reflow at 200% instead of cutting off |
| Contrast | 4.5:1 for essential text, plus a 7:1 high-contrast mode the user can turn on easily (unless the default already meets 7:1) | A high-contrast theme reachable from every screen |
| Colour | Information must be usable without perceiving colour | Labels or icons alongside colour states |
| Sound | All audio information also shown visually; speaker volume adjustable up to at least 65 dBA and reset below 65 dBA after use | On-screen captions for sounds; volume reset at session end |
| Cognition | Users can cancel or go back at any time, with entered data cleared and inserted cards or cash returned; consistent layout; a way to call staff or see contact details | Global cancel and back, a staff-call button, plain wording |
| Flashing | Flashing limited to fewer than three times per second | Check animations and alerts |
| Reach | Controls between 400 mm and 1,220 mm from the floor; essential information no higher than 1,400 mm | A low-screen layout on tall kiosks |
| Privacy | Offer an alternative to biometrics; personal information must not be read aloud unless a headset is connected | Mask personal data in voice mode |
The annex also includes user testing: at least 12 participants, including blind and low-vision users, wheelchair users and people aged 65 or over, who complete scenarios while testers measure completion rate, time compared with non-disabled users and satisfaction.
Can existing kiosks be updated, or do they need replacing?
It depends on the hardware. Software can add voice mode, keypad focus, high contrast, zoom, time-out warnings and a lower layout. It cannot add an ear jack, a physical keypad with tactile markers or move the controls lower on the cabinet.
A practical order of work:
- List the hardware. Screen size, operating system, height of the screen and controls, whether there is an audio jack, a physical keypad and a speaker with volume control.
- Decide the route. If the site qualifies for the alternative route (under 50 m², small business owner or table-order device), compare the cost of compatible software or devices with staff plus a call bell.
- Gap-check the software against the table above, starting with the basic items.
- Fix and test with real assistive scenarios, not just a checklist.
- Keep records of what was changed and when, in case of a complaint.
How we approach kiosk software
NQ Solution develops kiosk software for devices our clients already own or buy: the ordering or information screens, the admin screens and the connections to payment terminals, receipt printers and POS systems. We do not supply hardware or carry out physical installation, so we work from the device specifications you provide.
For accessibility work that means we can build voice mode, keypad focus order, high-contrast and zoom layouts, time-out warnings and a low-screen layout into the application, and test them on your device. Whether the finished kiosk passes the government verification also depends on the hardware, so we confirm early which criteria the device can meet.
As a reference for budgeting, kiosk software sits under our internal-system package, KRW 2M to 6M (VAT excluded), with card payment integration KRW 0.8M to 1.8M and each external integration such as a printer or POS KRW 0.3M to 1.5M (price list v1.1, as of 23 September 2026). Accessibility changes to an existing app are scoped after we see the current code and device.
Frequently asked questions
What is a kiosk in software terms?
A kiosk is a self-service terminal: a touchscreen device running one dedicated application for ordering, ticketing, check-in or information. Korean law calls it an unmanned information terminal (무인정보단말기). The accessibility rules cover both the device and the software running on it.
Does the kiosk rule apply to small restaurants?
Yes, but with an alternative route. According to MOHW, sites under 50 m², small business owners and table-order type devices may provide compatible assistive devices or software, or staff with a call bell, instead of a verified kiosk with voice location guidance.
When did the kiosk accessibility rule take full effect?
On 28 January 2026. Public, educational and medical institutions were covered from 28 January 2024, and other operators were added in stages until full application in 2026, including kiosks installed earlier.
What is the fine for an inaccessible kiosk?
After a National Human Rights Commission recommendation and a correction order from the Minister of Justice, a fine of up to KRW 30 million can be imposed, according to MOHW. Civil or criminal liability is also possible.
Can existing kiosks be updated with software?
Partly. Software can add voice output, keypad navigation, high contrast, zoom and time-out warnings. Physical items such as an ear jack, a tactile keypad or control height need hardware changes or a different device.
Is web accessibility also required for my website?
This article covers kiosks only. Websites and apps have separate Korean accessibility obligations and standards, so check those separately for your organisation.
Sources
All checked October 2026.
- Ministry of Health and Welfare, Barrier-free kiosk obligation fully in force from 28 January (press release)
- Ministry of Health and Welfare, Enforcement decree revision on barrier-free kiosks, 11 November 2025 (press release)
- Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, Enforcement Decree of the Disability Discrimination Act
- Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, Annex 5: Kiosk accessibility verification criteria (PDF)
- Korean Standards Association via KSSN, KS X 9211 Accessibility guidelines for unmanned information terminals
- Kiosk UI platform, Verification and verified products
Need kiosk software updated or built for devices you already have? Send us the device details or see the scope of our internal systems, kiosk and AI services.