The Korean Intellectual Property Office announced on the 24th that South Korea ranked 10th overall among 55 countries in the '2025 International Intellectual Property Index' released by the Global Innovation Policy Center of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The International Intellectual Property Index is calculated based on 53 detailed indicators across 10 areas, including patents, trademarks, trade secrets, intellectual property enforcement, system efficiency, and international treaty membership.
South Korea demonstrated excellent performance, ranking second in the patent area for eight consecutive years, fourth in trademarks, and first in system efficiency for six consecutive years.
In particular, in the area of trade secret protection, South Korea achieved a significant improvement, moving up seven places from 16th last year to 9th this year, which contributed to its entry into the overall top 10 rankings. The result reflects international recognition of the achievements from the amendment of the Unfair Competition Prevention Act last year, which strengthened punishments and damages for trade secret infringements.
Looking at the global rankings, the United States secured the first place, followed by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Sweden. Japan ranked 7th, while China was at 24th.
Shin Sang-gon, director of the Korean Intellectual Property Office's Industrial Property Protection Cooperation Bureau, noted, "A high level of intellectual property is a driving force for industrial development and can be a strong card in trade negotiations; thus, the results of this announcement are positive." He added, "Through the 'Premium Patent' strategy being promoted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office, we will enhance the commercialization of intellectual property and elevate South Korea's intellectual property level to the highest in the world."