The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) in a joint operation with the Daejeon District Prosecutors Office (DDPO) (Chief Prosecutor SEONG Sang Heon) has arrested the suspected operator of the “Agitoon” website, a major illegal distributor of web novels and webtoons for over three years. The site was immediately shut down following the apprehension of the alleged culprit.

This intervention follows the unveiling of a comprehensive plan of action by the MCST in July last year, "Measures against Illegal Distribution of K-Content," under the direction of President YOON Suk Yeol.  Agitoon was identified as a priority target requiring swift action, due to its international reach, sophisticated operations, and considerable copyright infringements. Close cooperation between MCST and the DDPO, from the initial investigation to seizure and final arrest, was critical to this achievement.

A Meticulously-Planned Crime Leaving No Traces,

Korea’s Largest and Longest-Operating Illegal Web Novel Sharing Site, Likely Incurring Substantial Copyright Infringement Damages

Agitoon was the leading illegal online distributor of copyrighted web novels, operating separate but interlinked domains for both webtoons and web novels. The site had illegally distributed 2,509,963 web novels and 746,835 webtoons, with confirmed involvement from Chinese accomplices. The suspect arrested already has a prior conviction for running an illegal webtoon-sharing site, receiving a suspended sentence but resuming operations while on probation.

The suspect evaded detection by accessing remotely from overseas, using virtual circuits, and Latvian servers and domains, with payments processed through a PayPal account registered under a Chinese name. The suspect furthermore used false identities to register for mobile phones and internet services and frequently switched between third-party workspace locations to avoid tracking. Despite these measures, the suspect was nevertheless apprehended through the painstaking efforts of the MCST’s Copyright Infringement Forensics Team (CIFT).

After reviewing Agitoon’s service launch date, its distribution volume, and site activity, MCST and the DDPO concluded it to be Korea's largest and longest-operating online illegal distributor of web novels. Significant volumes of infringing content were also discovered on successor sites like BookTok, likely causing substantial damage to copyright holders.

Illegal advertising on the site, some related to gambling and prostitution, was estimated to have netted around 120 million KRW over six months (approximately 20 million KRW per month). Damages to the copyright industry are most likely also considerable, and the MCST and DDPO are working on strict new measures for recovery of criminal profits and prevention of future copyright infringements.

Seizure of Illegal Website Domains Blocks Access and Reinforces Copyright Protection

To prevent the emergence of similar sites, or any resumption of operations while a final judgment is awaited, the CIFT seized all domains associated with Agitoon during the raid. Access modifications mean that any user attempting to visit the site is now redirected to a "Website Seizure Notice[1]," thereby safeguarding the rights of content creators.

The Director-General of the Copyright Bureau at MCST, remarked, "Copyright infringement crimes are becoming increasingly international and sophisticated, involving overseas servers, virtual circuits, and international money laundering." She added, "Despite these challenging circumstances, MCST will continue to collaborate across ministries and strengthen international joint investigations to protect the legitimate rights of creators."