The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST), in collaboration with the Korea Copyright Protection Agency (KCOPA) and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), hosted the 2025 International Forum on Copyright Protection Framework (IFCPE) and Interpol Global Meeting on Digital Piracy (GMDP) on November 17 (Monday) – 18 (Tuesday) at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo-gu, Seoul, to strengthen the global copyright protection framework for creative content.

This year’s global forum was held in conjunction with Interpol’s Stop Online Piracy (I-SOP) project and its Global Meeting on Digital Piracy, aimed at combating online copyright infringement affecting content worldwide, including K-content. Over 170 participants gathered, including representatives from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), and law enforcement agencies from 17 countries such as the United States, Vietnam, Bulgaria, Spain, Iraq, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, as well as private rightsholders and international copyright associations and organizations.

Global cooperation with overseas law enforcement agencies critical for protecting the rights of content creators worldwide

Since 2021, MCST, the Korean National Police Agency, and Interpol have jointly advanced the I-SOP project, which has delivered major achievements by arresting numerous operators of well-known copyright-infringing websites such as Nunu TV, OK Toon, AziToon and illegal IPTV[1] services across Southeast Asia. However, cases of illegal website operations that are beyond the reach of Korean jurisdiction continue to rise. Furthermore, illegal websites that operate on foreign servers distribute not only K-content but also content from across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. This calls for enhanced international cooperation with global law enforcement bodies to safeguard the rights of creators around the world.

Building a network of experts to share knowledge and strengthen capacity against copyright infringement,

Korea and Vietnam sign MoU to cooperate in copyright protection

This year’s event established a network of experts to promote knowledge sharing and capacity building among law enforcement bodies and key stakeholders across nations. Participants shared major I-SOP joint operation best practices, training techniques for tracking copyright offenders, and strategies to enhance international partnerships and operational cooperation.

On the first day (November 17), participants held in-depth discussions on the progress of international cooperation efforts regarding global content infringement cases and strategies for future joint actions, including operations carried out under the I-SOP project. In particular, the discussion emphasized the need to recognize digital piracy as a transnational threat and highlighted the critical role of rightsholders, including private copyright associations and organizations as well as content providers, in supplying timely and accurate infringement information and tracking intelligence to support effective law enforcement efforts. In addition, MCST signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in copyright protection with Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) to protect K-content copyright and strengthen practical mechanisms to counter copyright infringement.