Comics and Webtoon Industry Establishes Single Communication Channel with Government... Launch of Manchongyeon

Communication and Public-Private Cooperation Set as Top Priorities

Comics and webtoon associations and organizations are joining forces by forming a coalition. Eight organizations, including Uri Manhwa Yeondae, Webtoon Association, Korea Manhwa Story Association, Korea Manhwa Webtoon Critics Association, Korea Manhwa Webtoon Society, Korea Webtoon Industry Association, Korea Cartoon Association, and Daejeon Manhwa Union, held the inauguration ceremony of the Comics and Webtoon Association General Federation (Manchongyeon) on the 24th at the DMC Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

Seo Beom-gang, president of the Korea Webtoon Industry Association, and others are making the founding declaration and ceremony at the inauguration ceremony of the Federation of Cartoon and Webtoon Associations held on the 24th at DMC Tower, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Until now, the comics and webtoon industry had dozens of associations and organizations divided by field and region, causing increased confusion. Each represented creators, companies, and academia separately, often voicing different opinions and clashing with one another. There was no single channel to communicate with the government or the National Assembly, making it impossible to speak with one voice.

Manchongyeon, established to solve these issues, has set communication and public-private cooperation as its top priorities. Newly appointed Chairman Seo Beom-gang stated, "We aim to connect the communication chain so that creators can communicate with companies, and the voices of creators and companies can reach the government," adding, "Rather than relying on or waiting for the government, we will ensure that the private sector takes the lead."

Manchongyeon plans to conduct the global webtoon festival, first introduced by the government last year, as a privately-led event and pave the way for webtoon creators to expand overseas. It will also address illegal webtoon issues and establish a standard identification system for webtoons to create a mutually beneficial environment. Ko Kyung-il, chairman of Uri Manhwa Yeondae, explained, "We formed the federation with the determination to make decisions ourselves rather than passively relying on others."

Seo Beom-gang, chairman of the Korea Webtoon Industry Association, is giving his inaugural speech at the launch ceremony of the Cartoon Webtoon Association Federation held at DMC Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News

The event was attended by Kim Yong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea; Kim Jae-won, a member of the Innovation Party; Kim Hyun-mok, head of the Popular Culture Industry Division at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; as well as veteran cartoonists and representatives from platforms such as Kakao Entertainment and Naver Webtoon.