CISAC delegation meets Culture Minister Yu In Chon on Korea’s creative wave and the role of creators’ rights

Seoul, 30th May, 2024 - The world-beating success of Korean culture, and the need for more vigilance to protect creators' rights, were discussed in a meeting between CISAC and Korea’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Yu In Chon.

Korea has led the world and become a model for the achievements of “soft power” through the success of music, film and the creative sector. The country has shown the extraordinary economical potential of creative industries and recognised the importance of strong creators’ rights in the Korea Creative Wave.

The meeting took place before the opening of CISAC’s Annual General Assembly in Seoul, where, in a speech, Minister Yu In Chon pledged further commitment to protecting creators’ rights. “Our utmost goal is to protect our creators around the world and we are reviewing our rules and regulations in pursuit of that goal”.

CISAC’s Director-General Gadi Oron, Board Chair Marcelo Castello Branco and the Chairman of music society KOMCA, Mr Ga Yeoul Chu, met with the Minister. They were joined by CISAC's Vice-Presidents - film director Ángeles González-Sinde Reig and Arturo Márquez - Korean film director You Ji Tae Yoo and singer songwriter and President of Australia’s APRA, Jenny Morris. Lee Soo-Man, founder of SMC Entertainment and musician and Korean National Assembly member Kim Jae Won also joined.

K-Pop and Korean films, and the success across many artistic genres, have been helped by strong government policies supporting the arts, the delegation said. This has brought admiration and given Korea influence across the world, illustrated by KOMCA’s role on the Board of CISAC.

The delegation pointed however, to challenges for creators and the creative economy, now and in the future. Creators' rights and the value of works need constant defending, especially in the digital market. The rapid rise of AI is a top priority that must be accompanied with an effective remuneration regime for creators.

With the power of tech companies and digital platforms, the need for strong copyright and authors rights has never been greater. Low tariffs for the use of works, lack of transparency and buyout are all challenges that need close vigilance.