(LEAD) Culture minister blocks access to illegal sites under new anti-piracy law

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 3-4; ADDS photo) SEOUL, May 11 (Yonhap) -- The culture minister ordered access to dozens of illegal content websites to be blocked immediately Monday as a new law designed to curb rampant online piracy of web-based comics and novels took effect. Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Chae Hwi-young took action against 34 copyright-infringing sites, including Newtoki, a major platform known for illegally distributing Korean webtoons and web novels, the ministry said. Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Chae Hwi-young (C) is seen in this undated photo provided by his ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Internet service providers that have received the order, including LG Uplus, SK Broadband, KT and Samsung SDS, will deny access to the sites after undergoing internal procedures, according to the ministry. A committee under the Korea Copyright Protection Agency, affiliated with the culture ministry, will later have five days to decide whether to formally block access to the 34 sites before the minister finally confirms the decision. The move marks the first such measure under the revised Copyright Act, which allows the minister to immediately restrict access to illegal online content upon detection. The legislation went into effect Monday following several months of preparations. The government has stepped up efforts to protect intellectual property in one of the country's fastest-growing cultural exports amid ongoing concerns that piracy sites undermine creators' revenues and global competitiveness. In this file photo, culture ministry officials attend an event at the affiliated Korea Copyright Protection Agency in Seoul on April 27, 2026, resolving to ensure the success of a system that allows the culture minister to immediately restrict access to copyright-infringing websites. (Yonhap) The ministry plans to expand the number of sites subject to the emergency measure while closely monitoring whether operators of such platforms will attempt to evade enforcement by creating replacement sites. "We recognize that operators of illegal sites will not easily give up the profits they have gained unlawfully, despite the government's firm stance and new response system," Chae said in a statement. "Even if this becomes an endless battle, we will act swiftly to block these sites and minimize their lifespan." sshim@yna.co.kr(END)