Illegal Webtoon Platform Operator Arrested
In a groundbreaking operation, the operator of the illegal webtoon platform known as OKTOON has been arrested by Korean authorities. The arrest came after a thorough investigation into the activities of the operator and the associated websites, Nunu TV and TVWiki. The arrest was made in November and was the culmination of a joint effort by various agencies, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), the Daejeon District Prosecutors’ Office, and the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency.
Details of the Arrest
OKTOON was notorious for illegally uploading webtoons and profiting from them, while Nunu TV and TVWiki operated as illegal streaming services. Following the arrest, the MCST seized the domains of these websites, effectively shutting them down and preventing further distribution of unauthorized content. The operator of OKTOON was found to have used a sophisticated method of collecting user accounts from legitimate platforms and illegally reposting webtoon content.
International Cooperation
The successful arrest was made possible through close cooperation between Korean authorities and international agencies, including the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Korea Office and INTERPOL. This marks a significant milestone in the efforts to combat illegal distribution of content and protect the rights of creators. MCST Copyright Bureau Director Jeong Hyang-mi hailed the arrest as a major achievement in the fight against piracy and emphasized the importance of cracking down on illegal website operators.
Global Impact
This arrest is part of a larger international effort to combat piracy and protect intellectual property rights. Earlier this year, collaboration between Japanese and Korean organizations led to the exposure and criminal complaints against several piracy websites in Brazil. The joint efforts of these organizations underscore the global nature of the piracy problem and the need for coordinated action to address it.
The arrest of the operator of OKTOON sends a clear message that illegal activities will not be tolerated, and those who engage in piracy will be held accountable. This development marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle to protect the rights of content creators and uphold the integrity of the digital content ecosystem.