Abstract

In Korea, the establishment of research data utilization and management systems began relatively later than in major regions and international organizations such as Europe, North America, and UNESCO. Institutionally, the Data Management Plan (DMP) system is being adopted, and legislation related to research data is currently under parliamentary review. However, coherent and practical standards remain insufficient, particularly regarding the definition and scope of research data, the attribution of rights, and differing interpretations across multiple legal frameworks. This paper interprets the legal status and rights structure of research data in the context of open science and presents criteria for determining the scope of research data based on legal interpretation, principles for lifecycle-based processing and stewardship, and a framework for coordinating rights and responsibilities among stakeholders. It specifically examines the conflicts arising from the overlapping application of the Copyright Act, the Public Data Act, and the National Research and Development Innovation Act, and proposes policy directions that balance researchers’ moral rights and responsibilities with the public right of access. The proposed definitions of research data scope, interpretations of researcher rights, and corresponding institutional improvement measures are expected to help policymakers, managing institutions, and users develop a clearer understanding of research data and contribute to establishing research ethics and a stable open science system.