South Korean Music Industry Unites to Confront AI Challenges

Seoul, South Korea – In a landmark move, six leading South Korean music organizations have formed a united front to address the rapidly evolving challenges posed by generative artificial intelligence (AI). The newly established ‘K-Music Rights Group Coexistence Committee’ aims to safeguard the interests of creators and establish South Korea as a leader in copyright management technology in the age of AI.

A Unified Response to a Fourfold Crisis

The formation of the committee, officially launched on February 26th, comes as the Korean music industry faces what leaders describe as a “fourfold crisis.” These challenges include the proliferation of generative AI, the decentralizing influence of blockchain technology, the outflow of revenue from the Korean Wave (Hallyu) overseas, and a significant reshaping of the platform market [1].

Key Players and Leadership

The K-Music Rights Group Coexistence Committee brings together the following organizations:

• Korea Music Copyright Association (KMCA)
• Korea Record Industry Association (KRIA)
• Korea Entertainment Producers Association (KEPA)
• Together Music Copyright Association
• Korea Music Performers Association (KMPA)
• Korea Music Content Association

Lee Si-ha, president of the KMCA, has been elected as the committee’s chairman. His appointment and the committee’s launch represent a “declaration of war” on issues surrounding AI in the music industry [1].

Blockchain-Based Infrastructure and the K-Copyright Standard Model

A central component of the committee’s strategy is the development of a blockchain-based integrated infrastructure. This system will unify fragmented rights data by linking and managing the four major standard identification codes associated with musical works: composition/lyrics, sound sources (recordings), YouTube identifiers, and country identification [1]. The goal is to create a “K-Copyright Standard Model” capable of tracking, collecting, and distributing royalties in real-time, ensuring no usage goes uncompensated.

Joint Task Force and AI Regulation

The committee plans to establish a joint AI response task force, a single negotiation window, and a joint fund to maximize its collective impact. The organizations have agreed on key principles for the AI era, including prohibiting unauthorized AI learning without creator consent, mandating transparency in AI creation processes, and establishing clear distinctions between human-created and AI-generated content [1].

A Critical Two-Year Window

Chairman Lee Si-ha emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the next two years are “a golden time where the life and death of the Korean music industry will depend on it.” He underscored the necessity of a unified approach, arguing that individual efforts are insufficient to address the “huge wave” of change brought about by AI [1]. The committee aims to establish Korea’s copyright management system as a global standard and position the nation as a leader in the global copyright order.

Korea Music Performers Association Expands International Reach

In related news, the Korea Music Performers Association (KMU) has been actively pursuing reciprocal management agreements with international organizations. Since 2024, under the leadership of President Lee Jeong-hyun and Executive Director Kim Seung-min, the KMU signed an agreement with SoundExchange, the US neighboring rights management organization, in December 2024 [3]. This agreement, along with existing contracts in Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, aims to increase royalty collection for Korean performers as K-pop’s global popularity continues to rise.