BYD Korea's Atto 3 electric SUV is unveiled during the brand's debut event in Incheon, Jan. 16. Yonhap

BYD Korea does not have any immediate plans to sell vehicles integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) software from DeepSeek, a spokesman at the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker said, Friday.

DeepSeek is at the center of controversy here, as major government agencies and big companies blocked access to its AI chatbot service over concerns about potential data leaks to China.

BYD recently announced a partnership with DeepSeek, allowing the EV maker to equip some of its vehicles with the tech firm's AI software. The vehicles will be available for sale in China for now.

As a group of Chinese firms are mired in an unceasing controversy on a similar data leak issue, local customers' fears have also escalated in line with BYD's latest announcement.

However, BYD Korea cleared away such concerns, saying that it does not have any plans to import EVs equipped with DeepSeek's software.

"BYD Korea will not sell any vehicles equipped with the software," the spokesman said. "We will strictly abide by any rules set by Korean authorities."

The carmaker also said it will continue to follow Korea's legal guidelines on private information, so it does not cause any security concerns to customers.

BYD Korea made its brand debut in January, drawing a positive market response with decent sales of its flagship Atto 3 electric SUV, offering a key upside in price competitiveness.

The company said the DeepSeek software is not installed in the vehicle, and personal information collected in Korea will never be shared with its Chinese headquarters.