Publishing Industry: "3.383 Billion Won in Fines for Paper Company Collusion Should Be Reinvested in the Publishing Sector"

Statement from the Korean Publishers Association and the Korean Publishers and Booksellers Association

Calls for Use of Fines to Promote Reading, Support AI Transition, and Implement Tax Credits

The Korean Publishers Association and the Korean Publishers and Booksellers Association have called for the fines imposed for collusion among paper companies to be reinvested as resources for developing the publishing and cultural industries.

Citizens are reading books at Kyobo Bookstore Gwanghwamun Branch in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

On the 27th, the two organizations issued a statement regarding the Korea Fair Trade Commission's imposition of a total of 338.3 billion won in fines after uncovering long-term price collusion among domestic paper companies. They stated, "The fines should not simply be absorbed into the general treasury and the matter closed."

The publishing industry argued that the paper companies' collusion has led to a deterioration in publishers' management and a reduction in the number of published titles. In particular, they pointed out that the publication of low-profit academic books and works by new authors has been suppressed, ultimately restricting the cultural choices available to readers.

The two organizations stated, "These fines are the result of sacrifices borne by publishers and readers due to the illegal act of collusion," and added, "They should be used to repair the damaged knowledge and cultural ecosystem and to restore the public's right to enjoy culture."

As suggestions for the use of the reinvested fines, the publishing industry proposed the establishment of a permanent monitoring body to oversee unfair publishing transactions, the implementation of national reading promotion policies, support for the global expansion of K-Publishing, an increase in the budget for the Sejong Books and Literature Sharing programs, strengthening the publishing industry's AI transition capabilities, and the introduction of a tax credit system for book production costs.

The two organizations emphasized the need for a dedicated body to monitor price fluctuations and unfair transactions in the markets for key publishing materials such as paper and printing. They also stated that public support should be expanded to address the structural crises facing the publishing industry, such as declining reading rates and the spread of artificial intelligence.

The publishing industry stated, "Reinvesting these fines as publishing resources will be a practical measure to restore fairness and lay the foundation for a culturally strong nation," and called for a response from the government.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.