Investigation Launched on Publisher Site and Contract Document Review
Corrective Orders and Measures to Be Taken if Violations of the Rights Protection Act Are Found
The government is forming a special investigation team to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the legality of the contract related to the comic "Gomjeong Gomu-shin."
Earlier, the Korea Cartoonists Association filed a report with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "Artist Complaint Center" on the 28th, requesting an investigation into whether the "Gomjeong Gomu-shin" contract was an unfair contract that infringed on the original creator's rights.
Minister Park Bo-gyun presided over a meeting with relevant officials within the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and ordered a swift response. Minister Park stated, "Many creators fall into the trap of abusive and toxic contract clauses because they are not familiar with copyright. We must meticulously trace whether the pain, frustration, and tragedy experienced by the late artist Lee Woo-young are related to this situation. Quickly grasp the full details of the incident and respond strongly."
Accordingly, on the 30th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the establishment of a special investigation team within the ministry and began a full investigation into whether the contracts that the late artist Lee Woo-young had signed with publishing and character companies during his lifetime violated the Artist Rights Protection Act.
The Artist Rights Protection Act was enacted in 2021 following the so-called "cultural and artistic blacklist" incident. It broadly addresses remedies for violations of artists' rights, including coercion of unfair contract terms, refusal of profit sharing, infringement of freedom of expression, and sexual violence.
The special investigation team includes officials from departments related to artist rights protection, copyright, comics, and publishing, as well as representatives from public institutions such as the Korea Artists Welfare Foundation and the Korea Copyright Commission, along with lawyers and other experts. While investigations and handling of rights violations related to artists are usually conducted by investigators under the artist support team, the Ministry explained that due to the high public interest in the "Gomjeong Gomu-shin" case, an exceptional special investigation team was formed.
At the briefing, Kang Jeong-won, spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, explained, "Typical accident investigations conclude within about 100 days. However, since this case has attracted significant social attention, we have organized a special investigation team to proceed and plan to complete it as quickly as possible."
The special investigation team will investigate whether the "Gomjeong Gomu-shin" contract violates the Artist Rights Protection Act. Based on the report, they are reviewing on-site inspections of the publisher, examination of all contract documents, and attendance investigations of related parties, including statements from the contracting counterpart.
If violations are found during the investigation, the Artist Rights Protection Committee will deliberate and decide to issue corrective orders to the publisher and, if necessary, request a criminal investigation. Additionally, if coercion of unfair contract terms is discovered, the matter will be reported to relevant agencies such as the Fair Trade Commission to ensure follow-up measures are taken.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will also hold a meeting with the Lee Woo-young Incident Countermeasures Committee in the afternoon. The committee held a press conference on the 27th, urging the ministry to conduct an investigation and prepare fundamental measures such as improving the standard contract form. The meeting will discuss matters related to the standard contract form.
Furthermore, the ministry plans to establish a Copyright Legal Support Center to prevent a second "Gomjeong Gomu-shin" incident.
To support emerging cultural and artistic creators, copyright services will be strengthened, and outreach copyright education will be expanded to improve the culture of unfamiliarity with copyright. Legal and institutional measures to enhance creators' rights and interests will also be pursued.
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