All Issue

2025 Vol.21, Issue 4 Preview Page

Research Article

A Study on the Legal Responsibility Framework for Serious Accidents Involving AI and Autonomous Systems in Military Installations

군사시설 내 AI·자율시스템 운용과 중대재해의 법적 책임구조에 관한 연구

신유리1,2*

Yulee Shin1,2*

1Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Legal Studies, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2Adjunct Professor, Department of Police Science, Semyung University, Jecheon, Republic of Korea
31 December 2025. pp. 1092-1101
PDF Citation
Abstract
Purpose: This study examines how the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and autonomous systems transforms safety-risk structures and responsibility allocation within military facilities. It reassesses the applicability of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act (SAPA) to military installations and clarifies how legal responsibility should be apportioned between military command and civilian management in dual-governance environments. Method: Domestic laws—including the Constitution, SAPA, and the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act—were analyzed alongside Defense Innovation 4.0 policy materials to identify risk characteristics of autonomous systems. Result: SAPA cannot be categorically excluded where civilians or contractors work within military facilities. Technological autonomy does not diminish human responsibility but restructures it at the organizational and systemic levels. The study proposes: (1) a military-facility SAPA special provision, (2) a tailored military safety-management system (M-SMS), and (3) establishment of a Defense AI Safety Commission. Conclusion: Major jurisdictions impose organizational duties in military environments based on the controllability of technological risks. Korea should likewise reinforce legal oversight of AI-enabled systems in line with the constitutional duty to protect life. Safety governance in the AI era must shift from ex post punishment to a system-based, preventive responsibility model embedded throughout design, operation, and verification.
Keywords
Serious Accidents Punishment Act(SAPA)
Military Installations
Technological Autonomy and Liability Allocation
Command Responsibility and Managerial Responsibility
Military-Facility Safety Governance
AI
National Security
연구목적: 인공지능(AI), 로봇, 자율주행시스템의 도입은 군사시설의 운영 방식과 안전사고 책임 구조를 근본적으로 변화시키고 있다. 본 연구는 중대재해처벌법의 관점에서 군사시설의 법적 지위를 재검토하고, 군 지휘체계와 민간 경영체계가 병존하는 환경에서 AI·로봇·자율시스템과 관련한 중대재해의 책임 귀속 기준을 규명하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 연구방법: 헌법, 중대재해처벌법, 군사기지 및 군사시설 보호법 등 관련 법령과 판례·행정해석을 분석하였으며, 국방혁신 4.0 정책 및 군사 AI 관련 기술자료를 검토하여 군사시설 내 자율시스템의 위험 구조를 도출하였다. 또한 관련 안전법제를 비교하여 기술위험에 대한 조직책임 부과 방식의 차이를 분석하였다. 연구결과: 군사시설 중 민간인 및 위탁사업자가 상시 근무하는 영역에서는 중대재해처벌법 적용을 배제할 근거가 부족하며, 기술자율성의 확대는 책임을 소멸시키는 것이 아니라 조직·시스템 차원에서 재구성함이 확인되었다. 특히 군 지휘체계와 민간 경영체계는 상호보완적 구조로 재설계되어야 하며, 이에 따라 ▲군사시설형 중대재해특례조항 신설, ▲군사시설형 안전보건관리체계(M-SMS) 도입, ▲국방 AI 안전위원회 설치 등을 제안하였다. 결론: 비교법적 검토 결과, 주요국은 군사시설에서도 기술위험 통제가능성과 예견·예방 의무를 기준으로 조직책임을 부과하고 있었다. 한국 역시 군사시설의 폐쇄성을 이유로 안전의무를 예외화할 것이 아니라, 헌법상 생명보호의무에 근거하여 AI·자율시스템 운용에 대한 법적 통제를 강화해야 한다. AI 시대의 안전은 사후 처벌이 아니라 설계–운용–검증 전 과정에 위험 통제를 내재화한 시스템 기반 책임체계로 전환되어야 한다.
키워드
중대재해처벌법
군사시설
기술자율성과 책임귀속
지휘책임과 경영책임
군사시설형 안전거버넌스
AI
국가안전보장
References
  1. AI Matters (2024). “Korea explores defense-AI strategy to counter accelerating global military AI competition.” AI Matters, October 11, 2024.
  2. Cho, J. (2024). “Policy recommendations for political declaration on responsible military use of artificial intelligence and autonomy.” Korean Journal of Military Art and Science, Vol. 80, No. 2, pp. 8-10.
  3. Chosun Ilbo (2024). “Suspended sentence for construction company CEO over soldier killed in military base landslide accident.”, Chosun Ilbo, November 8. 2024.
  4. Economic Daily (2022). “Worker in his 60s dies at Hongcheon construction site — Ministry of Labor investigates possible violation of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.” Seoul Economic Daily, June 2, 2022.
  5. Economic Daily (2024). “Military operations injury: Soldiers excluded vs. only professional soldiers protected — Is the Serious Accidents Punishment Act discriminatory?” Seoul Economic Daily, May 5, 2024.
  6. Economic Daily (2025). “Serious Accident Punishment Act excludes active-duty soldiers… Not workers vs. unreasonable discrimination.” Seoul Economic Daily, September 17, 2025.
  7. Gronemeyer, R. (2022). “Autonomous ground vehicles: Removing soldiers from high-risk areas.” Benchmark, December 13, 2022.
  8. JJeong, K.-M., Jung, J.-H. (2024). “A study on countermeasures against non-military security threats using artificial intelligence (AI).” Korean National Security Policy Studies Review, Vol. 18, pp. 39-44. 10.36847/knspsa.2024.18.2
  9. Kim, B., Lee, J., Yoon, H. (2024). “An empirical study on safety management of defense industry employees.” SaeNyeon Munhwa Yeongu [Safety Culture & Research], Vol. 31, p. 90. 10.52902/kjsc.2024.31.89
  10. Kim, D. (2022). The Attribution of Responsibility in Autonomous Weapon Systems. Master’s Thesis, Seoul National University.
  11. Kim, D., Kim, J., Hwang, S., Lee, J., Lee, J. (2024). “Security policy and R&D directions to enhance security for defense AI.” Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology, Vol. 34, No. 6, p. 1423.
  12. Kim, H. (2024). Next Oppenheimer Era: Anticipated Issues and Response Strategy Following the Development of Lethal Autonomous Weapons System (LAWS). Institute for National Security Strategy(INSS), Strategic Report, No. 284. pp. 4-7.
  13. Kim, H.-K. (2023). “Interpretation and application of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act: a comparative analysis with the UK Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act.” Korean Criminological Review, Vol. 34, No. 4, pp. 89-90. 10.36889/KCR.2023.12.31.4.63
  14. Kim, K., Cho, S. (2022). “Military security threats and countermeasures of future defense robots.” The Journal of Military Robotics Society, Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 18.
  15. Kim, S-W., Park, D.-W. (2020). “A study on hacking attacks and vulnerability analysis of unmanned reconnaissance tank robots.” Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering, Vol. 24, No. 9, pp. 1189-1191.
  16. Kyunghyang Shinmun (2020). “9,451 civilians working in the military: outside the protection of labor laws.” Kyunghyang Shinmun, March 15, 2020.
  17. Lee, Y.-J. (2016). A Study on Command Responsibility for International Crimes. Ph.D. Dissertation, Seoul National University.
  18. Ministry of National Defense (2023). Announcement of the “Defense Innovation 4.0 Basic Plan.” Korea Policy Briefing, Government of the Republic of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
  19. Moon, J.-W., Park, J.-Y., Lee, J.-H., Song, J.-S. (2020). “Analysis of cyber defense information system for utilization of AI technologies.” Journal of Digital Contents Society, Vol. 21, No. 5, p. 892. 10.9728/dcs.2020.21.5.891
  20. Nam, S. (2025). Prospects and Issues in the Formation of International Norms on Military AI. Korea National Diplomatic Academy, Major International Issues Analysis 2025-40, pp. 17-18.
  21. Park, H., Joo, M., Jang, J., Kim, J., Lee, K.-T. (2023). “Analyzing client perceptions of factors impacting industrial safety in national defense and military installations projects.” Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea, Vol. 39, No. 11, p. 290.
  22. Park, Y.W., Kwon, H.Y. (2025). “Governance trend of artificial intelligence in military domain: focusing on the analysis of autonomous weapon system regulation theory.” Journal of Information Technology Services, Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 123-140. 10.9716/KITS.2025.24.3.123
  23. Seong, E.-K. (2020). “Legal issues and improvement plans on the consultation system in ‘the Military Base and Military Facilities Protection Act’ — focusing on the conditional agreement as the consultation opinion of the competent commanding officer.” Ministry of Government Legislation Review, Vol. 49, p. 125.
  24. Tongil News (2024). “Responsibility for applying AI in the military sector cannot be shifted to machines — REAIM High-Level Meeting: 62 countries signed the ‘REAIM Blueprint for Action’.” Tongil News, September 10, 2024.
  25. TV Chosun. (2025). “Can the Serious Disaster Act apply to the military too? Problems of applying the law.” TV Chosun News, September 15, 2025.
  26. Yang, C.-H. (2016). “A study on the law about command responsibility of the ROK military.” Korean Journal of Military Affairs, Vol. 72, No. 3, pp. 128-131. 10.31066/kjmas.2016.72.3.005
Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Disaster Information
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국재난정보학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국재난정보학회논문집
  • Volume : 21
  • No :4
  • Pages :1092-1101
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.15683/kosdi.2025.12.31.1092
Journal Informaiton Journal of the Society of Disaster Information Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
  • NRF
  • KISTI Current Status
  • KISTI Cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close