Korea pushes copyright enforcement abroad as K-content piracy spreads

South Korea is extending copyright protection for K-content beyond its borders, pursuing piracy operators abroad, expanding policy cooperation and tightening inspection powers at home.

The domestic webtoon industry generated 2.29 trillion won ($1.62 billion) in 2024, up 4.4 percent from a year earlier.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it closed three North Africa-based sites and arrested one operator through a joint investigation with the National Police Agency, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), local authorities and Naver Webtoon. Naver Webtoon's March tip led to the first international-cooperation result for the ministry's copyright special judicial police division.

Operating since July 2024, the sites copied and distributed 83,688 works, about 57 percent of them K-content. The industry estimates annual losses at 20 billion won ($14.1 million).

"As K-content's standing rises worldwide, the copyright infringements targeting it are also becoming more sophisticated and widespread," Kim Jae-hyun, director general for cultural media and industry at the ministry, said.

The Philippines ranked first in Asia-Pacific for viewing time and share of Korean cultural content, at 35.8 percent. The ministry, Korea Copyright Protection Agency and Philippine Intellectual Property Office planned to discuss AI and copyright, piracy and exchanges among collective management organizations at a Manila forum and meeting.

An amended Copyright Act took effect on Aug. 11, allowing officials investigating illegal copies to enter places and inspect documents. Fines for those who unjustifiably refuse, obstruct or evade range from 1.5 million won ($1,060) for a first violation to 5 million won ($3,534) for a third or later one.