The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, is hosting the "4th International Symposium on Copyright Protection and Enforcement" in Manila, Philippines. The symposium aims to explore new horizons in copyright protection and enforcement within the rapidly evolving digital environment. Running for five days from June 23rd to 27th, the event brings together over 30 public and private sector experts in copyright, including government officials from 10 countries, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE). They are engaging in in-depth discussions on copyright issues in the borderless digital age.

The symposium is focused on finding practical solutions for effective copyright protection in a rapidly changing technological landscape. In particular, it serves as a platform for sharing diverse perspectives on technical and legal issues that have emerged as key concerns in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), such as text and data mining (TDM) and fair use. Participants are analyzing the latest policies and precedents from various countries and discussing joint response strategies.

One of the key features of this symposium is the significant participation of countries from the Middle East and Africa, regions gaining attention as potential export hubs for K-content. This reflects the increasing global influence of K-content and, consequently, the deepening problem of illegal distribution. Participating countries recognize the urgent need to establish a robust international cooperation system to curb the illegal distribution of K-content and expand legitimate distribution channels.

At this symposium, the Republic of Korea is introducing its leading policies and efforts for copyright protection. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Copyright Protection Agency are informing other countries about the Korean government's major copyright protection and enforcement policies and sharing various examples of copyright protection activities, such as operating an online copyright infringement monitoring system. Among the domestic experts, Professor Lee Kyu-ho of Chung-Ang University School of Law is presenting on Korea's criminal justice procedures and key copyright precedents, while Choi Yi-tae, Secretary-General of the Copyright Overseas Promotion Association, is emphasizing the importance of inter-agency cooperation for copyright protection.

Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding with WIPO in 2006, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has consistently pursued various international cooperation projects, including copyright awareness campaigns and training for professionals. Notably, since 2014, it has established a trust fund cooperation project to strengthen overseas copyright protection for K-content, contributing to improving copyright protection environments and raising awareness in developing countries. This symposium is also expected to be an extension of these international cooperation efforts, further solidifying international solidarity for the sustainable growth of K-content.

Jeong Hyang-mi, Director General of the Copyright Bureau at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "Transnational joint responses are essential to resolve the issues of illegal reproduction and distribution of copyrighted works in a borderless digital environment. We hope that through this symposium, by sharing policies and precedents from each country and exploring timely joint response measures, we can establish a robust international cooperation system to curb the illegal distribution of K-content."

This symposium is expected to be a significant turning point, reaffirming the importance of international cooperation against copyright infringement, protecting creators' rights amidst new technological challenges, and promoting the healthy development of the content industry.