Republic of Korea: Amendment to Copyright Act including content moderation regulation was adopted by National Assembly

On 10 February 2026, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea adopted the amendment to the Copyright Act. The Act will apply to online service providers, website operators, and intermediaries facilitating access to copyright-infringing content. The Act will establish an enforcement framework for illegal online content, including warnings to infringers, deletion or suspension of infringing content, suspension of repeat infringers’ accounts, and blocking of access to pirated material. The Act will require online service providers to implement these measures and report enforcement outcomes within specified timelines. The Act will also introduce an emergency blocking mechanism allowing rapid restriction of infringing content in urgent cases, subject to subsequent review and confirmation or lifting. In addition, the Act will increase criminal penalties to up to seven years’ imprisonment or fines of up to KRW 100 million.