Understanding Korea’s Web Accessibility Standard: KWCAG – Building an Inclusive Web Environment for All

*This article is an English translation of a Japanese article.

In Korea, web accessibility standards are established to ensure that all citizens can access the internet equally. Like Japan, Korea has guidelines and legal requirements for web accessibility, aiming to create an online environment that everyone, including those with visual impairments and the elderly, can use. This article will explore Korea’s web accessibility standards, particularly KWCAG, and highlight their unique features.

Korea’s Web Accessibility Standard: KWCAG

Korea has developed its own web accessibility standard called KWCAG (Korean Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). This standard is based on the globally recognized WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) while including additional considerations for Korean users. KWCAG was established by the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and serves as a guideline primarily for public institutions and private businesses.

Key Principles of KWCAG

KWCAG is based on the following four principles, designed to create accessible content for all users:

1. Perceivability
   Ensures that all content is perceivable to users. For example, adding alternative text to images allows visually impaired users to understand visual content.

2. Operability
   Ensures that all functions are operable. For instance, enabling keyboard-only navigation makes websites accessible to users who cannot use a mouse.

3. Understandability
   Content should be understandable to all users. This includes avoiding technical jargon, using clear language, and adjusting text size and spacing to improve readability.

4. Robustness
   Content must be compatible with various assistive technologies. Proper markup is recommended to ensure compatibility with screen readers and other assistive devices.

Legal Obligations and Scope of Application

In Korea, public institutions and certain private enterprises are legally obligated to adhere to web accessibility standards. Specific laws and regulations include:

• Disability Discrimination Act (DPA)
  This law ensures the right of people with disabilities to access information without discrimination and mandates that public institutions comply with web accessibility standards.

• Information and Communications Infrastructure Act
  This law allows authorities to issue corrective orders for non-compliant websites, with penalties for continued violations. It encourages organizations to actively improve accessibility.

KWCAG Compliance Levels

KWCAG divides its compliance levels into three tiers:

• Level A: Basic accessibility requirements that ensure content is perceivable and operable for most users.
• Level AA: Enhanced accessibility standards, recommended for public institutions and most companies.
• Level AAA: The highest level of accessibility. This standard is not mandatory but is encouraged to provide complete access to all users, including those with disabilities.

Practical Examples of KWCAG Compliance

To comply with KWCAG standards, organizations should consider implementing the following practices:

• Add Alternative Text (alt attributes) to Images
  Provide meaningful descriptions for images to make content accessible to visually impaired users.

• Adjust Color Contrast
  Ensure a sufficient contrast ratio between text and background colors to improve readability for color-blind users. Level AA requires meeting a specific contrast ratio.

• Enable Keyboard Navigation
  Ensure all functions are accessible via keyboard only, which supports users who cannot use a mouse.

• Organize Page Structure Logically
  Use header tags (H1 to H6) appropriately to clarify page structure, enabling screen reader users to navigate content easily.

Differences from Japan’s Accessibility Standards

While Korea and Japan share similar web accessibility standards, there are notable differences. Korea’s KWCAG enforces legal compliance, particularly with strict oversight for public institutions. In Japan, standards like JIS X 8341-3 exist, but adherence is generally voluntary, especially for private companies, focusing on self-regulation rather than legal mandates.

Conclusion

Korea’s web accessibility standard, KWCAG, provides comprehensive guidelines to ensure that everyone can access web content equally. By imposing legal obligations on public institutions and specific companies, KWCAG has significantly promoted web accessibility improvements in Korea. As Japan and other countries seek to enhance accessibility, Korea’s proactive approach can serve as a valuable model.

Web accessibility is not only a technical requirement but also a social responsibility to build inclusive digital spaces. For those involved in web development and management, ensuring accessibility is an increasingly vital commitment.

We have released the UUU Web Accessibility Widget Tool, designed to make web accessibility easy to implement. This tool helps improve the accessibility of websites quickly and efficiently, even without specialized knowledge.

If you’re interested in enhancing your website’s accessibility, please check out the details. We are here to support you in making your website more user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience.