Korea Intellectual Property Office strengthens IP ties with ASEAN nations

The Korea Intellectual Property Office said it agreed to accelerate a new implementation pact with ASEAN member states to combat counterfeit goods and expand cooperation on artificial intelligence-driven patent systems.

During the ninth Korea-ASEAN High-Level Meeting on Intellectual Property held in Singapore, both sides committed to swiftly finalizing the agreement covering AI-based administration, law enforcement, and examination collaboration. The meeting marked the latest in annual high-level dialogues established after the two regions signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018.

Vice Minister Jeong Yeon-woo requested that ASEAN members actively utilize information provided by Korean companies regarding suspected malicious trademark applications. In response, the member states pledged to strengthen cooperation to protect K-trademarks from unauthorized preemptive registration and counterfeiting.

The office also introduced its government-certified K-brand system, asking for regional assistance in shielding export firms and overseas consumers from fake products.

Beyond the multilateral session, the agency held bilateral meetings with Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Denmark, with a scheduled talk with Vietnam. Revised memorandums were signed with Singapore and Cambodia to improve convenience for Korean patent applications, while specific follow-up measures were discussed with Indonesia and the Philippines.

With Indonesia and the Philippines, the office signed workplans focusing on protection, enforcement, and capacity building. The discussion with Vietnam centered on responses to malicious trademark squatting and the exchange of intellectual property data.

Jeong Yeon-woo is also scheduled to speak at Singapore IP Week 2026 under the theme of building a new intellectual property system for the AI era. He plans to outline changes brought by generative AI and present Korea's strategy for administrative innovation in the sector.

"ASEAN is a major trading partner for Korea where the spread of Hallyu is active, making it a very important region for our economy," Jeong said. He added that the office will continue to disseminate advanced Korean intellectual property administration while resolving problems such as counterfeit distribution and unauthorized trademark registration.