After the introduction of Artist Sinmungo, there were 1,012 reports of rights infringement... The largest number in the entertainment field

It has been shown that rights violations continue to occur, such as delaying profit distribution or forcing unfair contracts against artists.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism by Jin Seon-mi, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, a total of 1,012 rights infringement cases were reported from September 25, 2022, when the 'Artist Sinmungo' system was introduced, to August 31 of this year.

By year, it increased every year to 43 cases in 2022, 169 cases in 2023, 194 cases in 2024, and 316 cases in 2025. This year, 290 cases were received as of August. The average number of monthly reports reaches 36.3 and is expected to exceed 400 by the end of the year.

By type, ‘rejection/delay/restriction of profit distribution’ accounted for more than half, with 581 cases (57.4%). This was followed by 156 cases of 'change of other unfair disadvantages', 63 cases of 'unfair forced contract', 60 cases of 'sexual harassment and sexual violence', 39 cases of 'interference, direction and interference with artistic activities', and 32 cases of 'violation of artistic freedom'.

By field, entertainment field had the most cases with 260 cases, followed by art with 197 cases and music with 157 cases. In particular, reports in the entertainment field recorded 101 cases as of August this year, already exceeding the total number of reports last year.

As reports increased, case processing was delayed. For this reason, it is pointed out that the reporting system needs to be improved so that people can receive prompt relief.

According to data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, out of a total of 1,012 reports, 642 (63.3%) cases were submitted to the 'Artists' Rights Guarantee and Sexual Harassment and Violence Victims Relief Committee' and processed, and the remaining 370 cases (36.6%) are still under investigation.

The average processing time per case was found to be 366.6 days. Of the 642 cases processed, only 27 cases (4.2%) were completed within 3 months, 269 cases (41.9%) were completed within 6 months to 1 year, and 251 cases (39.1%) were completed over 1 year.

Reasons for slow case processing were pointed out as 'lack of investigators in charge', 'loss of contact with parties', 'request for postponement due to other relief procedures', and 'supplementation of data'.

Rep. Jin said, “For artists whose livelihoods are threatened because they are not paid, waiting for a year is another pain,” and added, “The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism must expand its investigative staff and check the causes of delays in each stage of case processing to ensure prompt relief for damages.”