A proposal has been made by a national research institute to strengthen copyright protection and diversify export regions to foster the K-content industry, which has established itself as a new growth industry in South Korea.
Korea Development Institute (KDI) noted in its report, "Analysis of the characteristics and growth factors of K-content" published on the 25th that "the cultural content industry is rapidly growing through improved content quality, development of the digital ecosystem, and expansion of networks among corporations, establishing itself as a national growth engine that generates significant production inducement effects."
-According to the report, the export amount of the K-content industry recorded $12.45 billion in 2021. The K-content industry has been setting new records every year since statistics began being collected. Considering that the export amount of the content industry was at $3.23 billion in 2010, it represents about a fourfold growth in just over 10 years.
This content industry is evaluated to have increased its net exports and contributed to a surplus in the balance of trade of intellectual property rights as its dependence on foreign markets decreased and its production capabilities strengthened.
The content industry is closely linked to various industries that form the CPND (content, platform, network, device) ecosystem. For example, specialized scientific and technical services enhance content quality by utilizing advanced technologies like special effects or 3D modeling and support the provision of high-definition videos on streaming platforms. Additionally, the computer, electronics, and optical device industries supply essential devices like smartphones, tablets, and game consoles, helping people enjoy content in various environments.
Considering the rapid growth and high production inducement effects, the research team evaluated that the content industry has established itself as a key growth engine in the South Korean economy.
To ensure the continued growth of this content industry, the research team called for strengthened copyright protection and improved responses to infringement.
Lee Jin-guk, a senior researcher at KDI, said, "Recently, illegal copying and unofficial distribution have been ongoing, primarily online. To effectively reduce illegal activities, it is essential to increase the likelihood of detection or strengthen penalties." He added, "As copyright infringement issues are arising overseas with the global spread of K-content, it is important to enhance capabilities for copyright enforcement and investigation abroad and to establish a solid coordination system with export destination countries for effective local response."
Diversifying export regions was also suggested. Although South Korea's content exports have achieved significant results, approximately 70% of total exports are concentrated in Asia, including China, Southeast Asia, and Japan.
The senior researcher stated, "It is desirable to actively support corporations' entry into overseas markets by not only going beyond production support but also closely analyzing content consumption patterns, legal regulations, and cultural characteristics in each region, establishing a comprehensive support system including translation support, strengthening local marketing, and responding to regulations."