Even if it gets caught, just change the name and run it again.
Illegal webtoon size: 40% of the legal market
Need for a systematic response system between government and industry
#. Naver Webtoon’s popular webtoon ‘**** Caution’ was released again on an illegal webtoon site. Although the government blocked the website known as ‘X Rabbit’, a site was created immediately that bypassed the address and changed the name. Just by searching for the name of the illegal webtoon site that had just been blocked on a search site, you could easily find an alternative site. On Naver Webtoon, you have to pay to watch after a certain episode, but on this site, all episodes are ‘free.’ The webtoon site is plastered with about 50 banner advertisements for illegal gambling sites. Youth, who are the main consumers of webtoons, are in fact the most easily exposed to illegal gambling channels.
As the domestic webtoon service business has entered a period of stagnation, the harmful effects of illegal webtoon sites are increasing. Even if the government blocks it several times, there is virtually no way to block illegal webtoon companies at the source by re-announcement of bypass sites or rebuilding sites based on overseas servers. On the 9th, the Copyright Crimes Investigation Unit of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism arrested Mr. B, the operator of famous illegal online video service (OTT) sites Nunu TV and TV Wiki, and illegal webtoon distribution site Oktoon, and the sites were shut down, but similar sites are reopening. came into existence
■The amount of damage to the domestic market alone is 700 billion won.
According to the Korea Creative Content Agency’s ‘2023 Webtoon Survey’ on the 25th, the size of the illegal webtoon market in 2022 was found to be KRW 721.5 billion, which is 40% of the legal webtoon market size of KRW 1.829 trillion. The size of traffic is also a huge threat to the legal webtoon market from the illegal webtoon market. In 2022, the total traffic volume of 20 illegal Korean-language sites was approximately 33.1 billion, reaching 65% of the traffic of legal platforms (about 50.8 billion).
These sites spread webtoons that can be easily copied and make money through advertising banners for illegal gambling and adult sites. Because the server and domain are located overseas, it is difficult to crack down on them, but even if they are caught, they can escape by changing the site name and link. In fact, the operator of ‘X Rabbit’ was identified, but it was reported that the investigation was virtually suspended because he had become a naturalized Japanese citizen. Since anyone can access illegal sites without any authentication, a red light has been turned on for youth protection. In addition to freely accessing adult content, it is estimated that most of the paths for youth to access illegal gambling and adult sites are these illegal sites.
Even if you file a lawsuit and block it, you are helpless.
The webtoon industry is actively responding by developing monitoring systems or filing lawsuits to prevent illegal distribution. However, some point out that other than large companies, there is no way to monitor or directly sanction illegal sites.
From July 2017, when Naver Webtoon began developing and applying its own proprietary technology, the ‘Toon Radar’ system, to last June, it stopped uploading and closed down 27 out of 29 sites in Korea, and 102 out of 134 primary illegal sites overseas. Uploads on several sites were stopped and closed. Last October, a lawsuit for damages worth 1 billion won was filed against three domestic illegal site operators, and the U.S. court’s ‘subpoena system’ has also completed four cases this year.
Kakao Entertainment established the Illegal Distribution Response Team (P.CoK) in 2021. The response team is taking the lead in responding to illegal distribution by publishing five white papers on illegal distribution response so far. So far, more than 90 operators of 31 illegal sites around the world have been identified and 8 large sites have been shut down. Last September, Indonesia’s top 3 illegal distribution site was shut down.
Despite these efforts, it is virtually impossible to completely eradicate illegal distribution. An official in the webtoon industry said, “Naver and Kakao are actively trying, but it is not enough to catch so many illegal sites,” and added, “In the case of small and medium-sized platforms, many do not have the human and material response capabilities of large companies.”
Kim Dong-hoon, a member of the Illegal Webtoon Victims Committee, emphasized, “Continued interest and the establishment of a systematic response system are needed from the government, platforms, writers, and readers.”
Some analyzes say that this must be accompanied by improved user awareness.
Park Ki-soo, a professor of cultural content at Hanyang University, suggested, “We also need to minimize the steps taken to block illegal sites or improve user culture by requiring users to pay fair value to enjoy the site.”
[email protected] Reporter Joo Won-gyu
※ Copyright ⓒ Financial News, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited
![If you block it, similar sites will appear… It’s difficult to control because the server is located overseas.[K웹툰, 불법의 덫에 빠지다 (上)]](http://suzygoodrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/What-to-include-in-detail-photos_0013-1024x683.jpg "If you block it, similar sites will appear… It’s difficult to control because the server is located overseas.[K웹툰, 불법의 덫에 빠지다 (上)]")
**Considering the transnational nature of online piracy, what international collaborations or legal frameworks could be explored to effectively combat the spread of illegal webtoon platforms across borders?**
## World Today News Exclusive Interview: The Growing Shadow of Illegal Webtoons
**Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re discussing the alarming rise of illegal webtoon platforms and the impact they’re having on the industry, artists, and readers. We’re joined by two distinguished guests:**
* **Professor Park Ki-soo**, expert in Cultural Content at Hanyang University, and
* **Kim Dong-hoon**, a member of the Illegal Webtoon Victims Committee, representing the voices unjustly affected by this problem.
**Let’s begin by examining the scope of the issue.** Professor Park, the article highlights a staggering 40% of the legal market being lost to these illegal platforms. Can you help us understand the broader implications of this trend for the webtoon industry?
**Moving on to the practical challenges of combating this issue, Kim Dong-hoon**, how effective are the current efforts by platforms like Naver and Kakao in shutting down these illegal sites? What more can be done, particularly for smaller platforms that lack the resources of their larger counterparts?
**The article mentions the concerning accessibility of illegal gambling and adult content alongside webtoons on these platforms. Professor Park**, what are the potential ramifications for young audiences who might be exposed to such content through these channels?
**We often hear about the technological cat-and-mouse game between developers and those trying to shut down these illegal sites. Kim Dong-hoon**, does the Victims Committee see any promising technological solutions on the horizon that could effectively address this ongoing challenge?
**Professor Park, bridging the gap between awareness and action is crucial. What role can education and user awareness play in curbing the demand for illegal webtoons? Are there specific initiatives that you see as being particularly impactful?**
**both you and Professor Park have touched upon the need for a systematic response. What specific actions, involving the government, platforms, creators, and readers, would help forge a more comprehensive and sustainable solution to this complex problem?**
**We’d like to thank both our guests for insightful contributions to this critical discussion. The fight against illegal webtoon platforms demands a united front, and by raising awareness and encouraging open dialog, we can work towards ensuring a fairer and more sustainable future for the webtoon industry and its stakeholders.**
This interview structure aims to generate a meaningful and informative discussion on illegal webtoons, drawing upon the expertise of both guests while inviting viewers to consider the multifaceted nature of the issue.
