January 15, 2026
soul – South Korean creators and copyright organizations issued a joint statement rejecting the “Korea AI Action Plan” released by the Presidential Council on National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, warning that AI companies could use copyrighted works “without legal uncertainty” and effectively for free.
Organizations across literature, broadcasting, writing, music, choreography and the visual arts said Tuesday they could not accept what they called a “spend first, pay later” policy direction. They argued that it would weaken creators’ control over their own work and undermine the long-term sustainability of South Korea’s cultural industry.
“This is a declaration that the government is abandoning the sustainability of South Korea’s cultural industry,” he said, calling for a fundamental review of the policy.
At the center of the backlash is Action Plan 32, which promotes “activating an ecosystem for the use and distribution of copyrighted materials for AI training and evaluation.” The statement points to language recommending that the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with other ministries, prepare by the second quarter either an amendment to the AI Basic Law or a separate “Special AI Law” that would allow companies to use copyrighted materials for training purposes “without legal uncertainty.”
Creators and copyright groups argue that the plan stretches the concept of fair use too far in favor of private commercial interests, misrepresents the global trend toward broader exemptions, and risks shifting the burden of law enforcement onto creators. They also criticized the plan’s reference to “opt-out” protections, warning that requiring machine-readable technical measures would leave most individual creators unable to realistically protect their rights.
The group added that it will continue to take strong action until governments reorient their policies towards sustainable AI development strategies that protect the rights of creators and uphold fair remuneration as a core principle.
The statement followed similar criticism from the Korea Newspaper Association, which argued that the basis of copyright lies in the right holder’s ability to decide in advance whether a copyrighted work can be used. Creator organizations called on the government to reconsider its approach and reaffirm a framework built on prior authorization and fair compensation, warning that once unpaid or low-cost use becomes the norm, it may be impossible to restore meaningful compensation.
Promoting the AI industry is a key priority for the Lee Jae-myung administration, which on September 8 launched the Presidential Council on National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, tasked with coordinating South Korea’s national AI agenda.
The council will bring together government, industry, and expert stakeholders under one framework as the Korean government accelerates efforts to expand AI infrastructure, expand AI adoption across the economy, and strengthen global competitiveness.
The draft of the Korea AI Action Plan, announced on December 15th, was accepting public feedback until January 4th. The implementation-focused national strategy is built around 98 action items, from expanding computing infrastructure and developing AI semiconductors to transforming industrial AI and reforming systems governing the use of copyrighted materials for AI training and evaluation.
The joint statement was signed by 16 organizations, including independent producers, digital content creators, writers, screenwriters, performers, choreographers, music rights holders, and organizations representing the broader broadcast industry.
Council officials told The Korea Herald on Wednesday that they plan to hold a discussion session on the issue.
