The Culture Ministry will also provide support for those derivative works, and prop up the production of cartoons incorporated with electronic technology and multimedia. (image: KOREA.NET/flickr)
SEOUL, May 29 (Korea Bizwire) – Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to take measures for the promotion of the cartoon industry aiming for 1 trillion won turnover and $100 million exports by 2018.
On May 28, according to the mid- and long-term plans for nurturing the cartoon industry announced by the Culture Ministry, a livelihood assistance program for cartoonists will be introduced. This is designed to provide support for cartoon artists between jobs to help them keep up with their artwork. Each comic artist is eligible to receive up to 6 million won through the program.
Moreover, under the “Great Contents Korea Fund” which is a supporting fund for cultural contents including animations, characters and cartoons, an exclusive fund for cartoons will be established next year.
Safeguards like standard contract for cartoon artists and protection of copyrights will also be provided. When cartoon platform companies apply for government support, fair contracts with the content providers will be one of the criteria for approval. The Culture Ministry will establish a “database of cartoon copyright holders” and a contact and cooperation system among the Korea Copyright Commission, cartoon-related organizations and holders of rights to enable immediate measures to cases of copyright infringement.
The ministry also came up with plans to invigorate the cartoon market. To revitalize the comic publication industry, outstanding comic books will be chosen for kids, teens and adults to be placed at public libraries. In order to support webtoons, which are cartoons published online, more webtoon platforms will be provides to increase opportunities for talented cartoon artists. Some of the platforms will be serviced in multiple languages to help overseas expansion. The translation support for cartoons will also be given as well.
Based on the webtoons, derivative contents such as mobile dramas, plays and characters can be created. The Culture Ministry will also provide support for those derivative works, and prop up the production of cartoons incorporated with electronic technology and multimedia.
Written by Robin Koo (linguistkoo@koreabizwire.com)
Lifestyle (Follow us @Lifestylenews_Korea)
