Government to Eradicate Illegal Distribution of K-Content... Launches Consultative Body

Investigation and Crackdown on Copyright Infringement Offenders, Site Access Blocked
June Eradication Measures Announced "Expect Strengthening of Cultural Sovereignty"

The government is launching an inter-ministerial consultative body to eradicate illegal distribution of K-content and is establishing countermeasures.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo-gyun is attending the National Assembly's audit on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held on the 5th, responding to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 28th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will organize a consultative body together with the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Korea Communications Commission, and the National Police Agency to collaborate closely. The aim is to strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation and identify tasks for system improvement to eradicate illegal distribution of K-content both domestically and internationally.

Illegal distribution has reached a level that threatens the development of the content industry. The number of visitors to illegal video streaming sites has exploded, and several illegal sites dedicated to web novels have also appeared. The online environment has become internationalized and highly sophisticated, making response methods more complex.

The consultative body will focus on investigating and cracking down on copyright infringement offenders, blocking access to illegal reproduction sites, responding to overseas copyright infringements, and improving awareness among content users. Through working-level meetings, it will compile each ministry’s implementation plans and gather opinions from broadcasting, film, OTT companies, and institutions, announcing eradication measures by June.

Im Seong-hwan, Director of the Copyright Bureau at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, “We plan to prepare proactive and innovative comprehensive measures to protect K-content copyrights and maintain the growth momentum of the content industry. We expect this to contribute to the national agenda of ‘Strengthening Cultural Sovereignty through Protection of K-content Copyrights.’”