▲ This image provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shows screenshots of three Vietnamese websites shut down for illegally circulating Korean webtoons. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Vietnamese couple-webtoon piracy

Vietnamese couple arrested over illegal global distribution of Korean webtoons

SEOUL, June 12 (Yonhap) -- Authorities have arrested a Vietnamese couple over allegations that they illegally translated and distributed Korean digital comics, known as webtoons, worldwide, South Korea's culture ministry announced Friday.

Working with the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security shut down three websites based in the country that the couple operated.

The husband and wife had allegedly translated Korean webtoons into English and distributed them without authorization to users across Asia, North America and Europe since January 2023, the ministry said. They are believed to have generated profits through online advertising and donations from users.

Authorities said around 14,700 webtoon titles were illegally circulated via the three sites, with Korean content accounting for about 70 percent. The platforms drew a combined 1.1 billion annual visits, with estimated damages reaching 207.2 billion won (US$136 million).

The ministry said it first detected the crime during a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese authorities in June last year. With evidence secured in cooperation with Naver Webtoon, investigators identified the suspects in September and launched a full probe.

Last month, Vietnamese authorities questioned the couple over the online piracy allegations and seized the sites' servers, effectively shutting them down. Prosecution proceedings are expected to follow upon completion of the investigation.

The Seoul ministry said it will examine whether it is possible to seek extradition of the suspects and recover illicit proceeds, while also pursuing copyright certification procedures in Vietnam for affected works.

Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young said the case marked "a meaningful example" of public-private and international cooperation in tackling overseas copyright infringement of Korean content.

"We will do our best to strengthen international cooperation to combat illegal distribution and ensure Korean cultural content is properly valued worldwide," he added.

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