AI Could Flood Korea's Book Market as Copyright Rules Lag

The rapid adoption of AI in South Korea, evidenced by its high ChatGPT and Claude user numbers, highlights a growing tension with the country's underdeveloped copyright framework. While the AI Framework Act took effect in January, its provisions are seen as insufficient for protecting human-created works and for clearly labeling AI-generated content, especially when compared to more advanced regulations in other major economies.

A significant concern for the Korean publishing industry is the potential for a flood of low-quality AI-generated books. Forecasts suggest new titles could surge from an average of about 62,000 to between 200,000 and 300,000 annually. This shift raises questions about market saturation and the value of human authorship, prompting initial responses from the National Assembly and industry bodies regarding legal deposit and disclosure of AI use.

Beyond AI-generated works, the more complex issue of using copyrighted material for AI training is gaining attention. While the Presidential Council on Intellectual Property has approved measures requiring prior permission for such use and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is developing guidelines, the subtlety of AI-driven plagiarism, where style, not just content, is mimicked, presents challenges that current legal frameworks may not adequately address.