South Korea Excludes Webtoons & Web Novels from Book Price Regulation, Ignites Debate

South Korean Government Excludes Webtoons and Web Novels from Book Price Regulation, Sparking Controversy

The South Korean government has announced its decision to exclude webtoons and web novels from the book price regulation, leading to contrasting opinions from the publishing industry and the webtoon sector. The government’s stance was revealed during a public forum held at the Seoul Content Talent Campus, where the theme of “Reforming Regulations for a Life-Centered Approach” was discussed.

Government’s Efforts for Regulatory Reform

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism organized the forum to address reforms in the book price regulation. Following the discussions, the ministry held a briefing at the Seoul Government Complex, stating its intention to improve the book price regulation to promote the growth of the digital publishing market. The ministry recognized that webtoons and web novels have distinctive characteristics and require relaxed regulations to meet the demands of the evolving electronic publishing industry.

Flexible Discount Rates for Small Bookstores

In line with the objective of revitalizing small bookstores, the ministry plans to implement flexible discount rates. The book price regulation aims to stabilize the publishing ecosystem by limiting discounts, including various coupons and mileage, to a maximum of 15%. Since its introduction in 2003, the regulation has been reviewed every three years starting from 2014 to assess its effectiveness.

Webtoons and Web Novels Excluded from Regulation

Webtoons and web novels have been categorized as electronic publications, subjecting them to the book price regulation. However, considering their unique nature, the government has decided to exclude them from the regulation. Policy officials emphasized the need for innovative regulatory measures aligned with the web content industry to enhance consumer benefits. They also assured that creator protection measures would be taken into account, addressing concerns raised by the publishing industry.

Publishing Industry’s Opposition and Webtoon Industry’s Support

The publishing industry expressed opposition to the government’s decision, citing a recent constitutional court ruling on e-books. The head of the Digital Publishing Policy Office at the Korean Publishers Association criticized the government’s announcement, stating that the decision requires legislative revision through the National Assembly, considering the constitutional court’s ruling.

In contrast, the webtoon and web novel industries welcomed the decision, as they believe discount regulations hinder reader participation and growth in independent e-books. The exclusion of e-books from the book price regulation is seen as a positive step for these industries, as it is expected to contribute to the expansion of the digital publishing market and attract a larger audience.

Future Steps and Conclusion

The government’s decision reflects its recognition of the evolving landscape of the publishing industry and the need for regulatory adaptation. It aims to support the growth of the digital content industry by continuously reviewing and updating regulations. The exclusion of webtoons and web novels from the book price regulation aligns with the government’s focus on consumer welfare and its commitment to fostering innovation in the web content sector.

While controversy remains, the decision is expected to stimulate the growth of the digital publishing market and provide opportunities for both creators and readers. As the government considers additional measures to address concerns and protect creators, it aims to strike a balance between industry demands and consumer interests.