Government Decides to Exclude Webtoons and Web Novels from Book Fixed Price System

The government has decided not to apply the fixed book price system to electronic publications such as webtoons and web novels. Since webtoons and web novels are new types of content with characteristics different from traditional books, applying the fixed book price system to them is considered inappropriate. This decision is based on the judgment that regulations should be eased to foster the growth of the electronic publication market. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) also plans to relax discount rates for small bookstores to revitalize them.

On the 22nd, the fifth "Public Discussion on Livelihood Issues" themed "Regulatory Reform for Daily Life" was held at the Hongneung Content Talent Campus in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul.

Jeon Byeong-geuk, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, announced improvements to the fixed book price system during a briefing held at the Government Seoul Office after the public discussion.

Jeon Byeong-geuk, 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is explaining the improvement direction of the fixed book price system during a briefing related to the living regulation sector at the Public Discussion on Livelihood with the People held at the Government Seoul Office on the afternoon of the 22nd.
From the left: Lee Sang-in, Vice Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission; Park Yoon-kyu, 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT; Bang Gi-seon, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; Jeon Byeong-geuk, 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Kang Kyung-sung, 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Vice Minister Jeon said, "During the public discussion, webtoon readers expressed that when they collect webtoons released in episodes, unlike paper books, they do not fully own them, yet the cost burden is high. They hoped for discounts on webtoon ownership prices." He added, "Creators also expressed that free discount promotions should be possible for industry growth and that web novels should be excluded from the fixed book price system."

Vice Minister Jeon explained, "Since 2022, the MCST has gathered broad opinions on the fixed book price system through public forums of private consultative bodies, industry meetings, and the Regulatory Reform Committee. Considering field opinions, the effectiveness of the system, and the Constitutional Court's ruling upholding its constitutionality, the overall framework of the fixed book price system will be maintained. However, private consultative bodies and the Regulatory Reform Committee suggested that separate reasonable measures are needed for webtoons and web novels, given their different characteristics from general books." He continued, "The government will exclude webtoons and web novels, which are new industries, from the fixed book price system but will prepare fair supplementary measures to prevent harm to creators and others, taking into account concerns from the publishing industry. Detailed plans will be established after collecting opinions from stakeholders."

Introduced in 2003, the fixed book price system limits discounts or economic benefits combined with sales of publications for sale purposes to within 15% of the fixed price. Vice Minister Jeon also stated

Vice Minister Jeon announced plans to change discount rates for small bookstores to help sustain them.

He said, "At the discussion, participants expressed that if small bookstores could offer more discounts, it would benefit both consumers and bookstores. We plan to promote changes in discount rates to revitalize small bookstores facing difficulties due to recent consumption contraction caused by rising prices and to increase consumer benefits."