The government has officially implemented an emergency blocking system for copyright infringement sites, taking its first action on May 11.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism notified internet service providers of the "first emergency blocking order" for copyright infringement sites.
A total of 34 sites are included in this emergency block. The emergency block is a measure that fundamentally prevents users from accessing illegal sites and is considered the fastest and most effective administrative response to copyright infringement.
The ministry explained that the 34 sites targeted for blocking meet the criteria of clear illegality as defined by copyright law, the urgency of preventing damage, and the absence of alternative measures.
Notably, the site 'New Toki,' which has repeatedly closed and reopened, is among those blocked. New Toki has been illegally distributing webtoons and web novels and announced on April 27 that it had ceased operations, stating, "We have no plans to resume services in the future." However, a site with the same name has since reappeared, complicating efforts to eradicate illegal content distribution.
Minister Choi Hwi-young visited the Korea Copyright Protection Agency on the same day to express his commitment to a strong response against illegal sites and to encourage on-site staff. He stated, "We recognize that operators of illegal sites are unlikely to easily give up the profits they have gained illegally, despite the government's firm stance and new response system. Even if it becomes an ongoing battle, we will strive to shorten the lifespan of illegal sites as much as possible through swift blocking measures."
Meanwhile, following the closure of illegal webtoon sites, positive changes have been observed, such as improved usage metrics for legal platforms like Naver Webtoon. According to Mobile Index, the average number of new installations for Naver Webtoon from April 27 to May 1 was 15,537, a 31% increase compared to the average of 11,853 installations from April 20 to 26.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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