[2025 Parliamentary Audit] Copyright Commission, Music Copyright Association, and Protection Agency Form 'Collusion Cartel'... Music Copyright Association Pays 600 Million Won in Consulting Fees to Review Committee Members

Kim Jaewon: "It's like a judge receiving money from a defendant"
Former Vice Minister and Administrator hired immediately after leaving office

Allegations have been raised regarding personal and financial collusion among the Korea Copyright Commission, the Korea Music Copyright Association, and the Korea Copyright Protection Agency. It is claimed that the review bodies and the organizations subject to review are interconnected through the same personal networks, forming a so-called "copyright policy cartel."

On October 23, Assemblyman Kim Jaewon of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee stated during a parliamentary audit, "Collusion between the Copyright Commission, the Music Copyright Association, and the Copyright Protection Agency is widespread," adding, "It is no different from a judge receiving money from a defendant when an organization subject to review pays consulting fees to a review committee member."

According to documents released by Assemblyman Kim, the Music Copyright Association signed private contracts worth 600 million won with certain experts under the name of "copyright policy research consulting contracts" from 2023 to 2025. Many of these individuals were simultaneously active at the Copyright Commission or the Copyright Protection Agency.

Former Copyright Commission Chairman Oh Seungjong, even after stepping down, continued to provide policy consulting and education for the Commission and received four consulting and service contracts from the Music Copyright Association. Vice Chairman A also received consulting fees for three consecutive years while still in office. Professor Choi, while conducting policy research for the Copyright Commission, also served as a consultant for the Music Copyright Association, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.

Kang Seokwon, Chairman of the Copyright Commission, explained, "The pool of experts is limited, so it is an unavoidable situation." In response, Assemblyman Kim countered, "When individuals who receive consulting fees from interest groups simultaneously take on policy research and review roles, it seriously undermines neutrality and independence."

He also pointed to the fact that former Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jeon Byeonggeuk and former Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration Kim Hyeonmo were recruited as consultants for the Music Copyright Association just a few months after leaving office, raising suspicions of "revolving door" practices involving former high-ranking officials.

Assemblyman Kim criticized, "Ahead of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's work inspection (May 7-9), it appears that former executives were used as shields. In this kind of network structure, the Copyright Commission and the Copyright Protection Agency fail to fulfill their roles, and the Ministry's oversight function has been effectively neutralized. Copyright policy is becoming the exclusive domain of a handful of experts."

He continued, "Copyright policy is a public domain for both creators and users, but the current structure has deteriorated into a closed system in which a select network monopolizes consulting, review, and execution. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism must immediately prepare and report measures to improve the system," he urged.

In response, an official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated, "We became aware of these facts for the first time through this parliamentary audit," and added, "We will immediately launch a fact-finding investigation."