WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE  
ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DEL COMERCIO 
IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
30 July 2012 
 (12-4180) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects  
of Intellectual Property Rights Original:   English 
 
 
 
MAIN DEDICATED INTELLECTUAL PR OPERTY LAWS AND REGULATIONS 
NOTIFIED UNDER ARTICLE 63.2 OF THE AGREEMENT 
 
KOREA 
  The present document reproduces the text
1 of the Framework Act on Intellectual Property, 
which entered into force on 20 July 2011, as notif ied by the Republic of Korea on 12 July 2012 under 
Article 63.2 of the Agreement (see document IP/N/1/KOR/3).  
Conseil des aspects des droits de propriété intellectuelle qui touchent au commerce 
 
PRINCIPALES LOIS ET RÉGLEMENTATIONS CONSACRÉES À 
LA PROPRIÉTÉ INTELLECTUELLE NOTIFIÉES AU TITRE 
DE L'ARTICLE 63:2 DE L'ACCORD 
 
RÉPUBLIQUE DE CORÉE 
 
 Le présent document contient le texte
1 de la Loi-cadre sur la propriété intellectuelle qui est 
entrée en vigueur le 20 juillet 2011 et a été notifi ée par la République de Corée le 12 juillet 2012 au 
titre de l'article 63:2 de l'Accord (voir le document IP/N/1/KOR/3.). 
 
Consejo de los Aspectos de los Derechos de Propiedad 
Intelectual relacionados con el Comercio 
 
PRINCIPALES LEYES Y REGLAMENTOS DEDICADOS A LA 
PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL NOTIFICADOS EN VIRTUD 
DEL PÁRRAFO 2 DEL ARTÍCULO 63 DEL ACUERDO 
 
REPÚBLICA DE COREA 
  
 En el presente documento se reproduce el texto
1 de la Ley Marco sobre Propiedad Intelectual 
que entró en vigor el 20 de julio de 2011, notificada por la República de Corea el 12 de julio de 2012 en virtud de lo dispuesto en el párrafo 2 del artículo 63 del Acuerdo (véase el documento 
IP/N/1/KOR/3).  
                                                      
1 In English only./En anglais seulement./En inglés solamente.   
   IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
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  FRAMEWORK ACT ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
 
Act No. 10629, May 19, 2011 
  CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS 
 
Article 1 (Purpose) 
 
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to th e economic, social and cultural development of the 
Republic of Korea and the improvement of people' s quality of life by formulating basic government 
policies and establishing the system for promotion thereof in order to facilitate creation, protection and utilization of intellectual property and create th e foundations thereof, thus enabling the value of 
intellectual property to be displayed in  our society to the fullest extent.  
 Article 2 (Basic Principles) 
 
The Government shall promote policies related to  intellectual property according to the following 
basic principles:  1. To promote the creation of excellent intellectual property by encouraging creators of 
intellectual property, such as writers, inventors, technicians, and artists to engage in their 
activities creatively and stably;  
 2. To protect intellectual property in an effec tive and stable manner, promote the utilization and 
the reasonable and fair use thereof;  
 
3. To build up foundations to promote the crea tion, protection and utilization of intellectual 
property by promoting the social environment that values intellectual property and fostering 
professional human resources and related industries; 
 4.  To contribute to the common development of the international community by bringing 
harmony between domestic norms and interna tional norms on intellectual property and 
supporting the strengthening of inte llectual property-related aptitude  of developing countries.  
 
Article 3 (Definitions) 
 The definitions of terms used in  this Act shall be as follows:  
 1. The term "intellectual property" means know ledge, information, technology, the expression of 
thoughts or feelings, the indication of business or goods, varieties of organism or genetic 
resources and other intangibles created or discove red by creative activities, experience, etc. of 
human beings, the value of property of which may be realized;  
 
2. The term "new intellectual property" means inte llectual property that appears in new fields in 
line with economic, social or cultural changes or  the development of science and technology;  
 3. The term "intellectual property right" m eans any right relating to intellectual property 
recognized or protected according to Acts and subordinate statutes, treaties, etc.;  
 IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
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  4. The term "public research institution"  means any of the following institutions; 
 
(a)  A research institution directly established and operated by the State or a local 
 government;  
 
(b)  A school as defined in Article 2 of the Higher Education Act; 
 
(c)  A government-funded research institution as defined in Article 2 of the Act on the 
Establishment, Operation and Fostering of Government-Funded Research Institutions; 
 
(d)  A government-funded science and technology research institution as defined in 
Article 2 of the Act on the Establishment,  Operation and Fostering of Government-
Funded Science and Technol ogy Research Institutions; 
 
(e)  A local government-invested research institute as defined in Article 2 of the Act on 
the Establishment and Operation of Local Government-Invested Research Institutes; 
 
(f)  A specific research institute as defined in Article 2 of the Support of Specific 
Research Institutes Act;  
 
(g)  A special manufacturing technology research institute as defined in Article 42 of the 
Industrial Technology Innovation Promotion Act;  
 
(h)  An institution engaging in business related to the creation or utilization of intellectual 
property among public-service corporations as defined in Article 2 of the Act on the 
Establishment and Operation of Public-Service Corporations; 
 
(i)  An institution engaging in business related to the creation or utilization of intellectual 
property among institutions designated as public  institutions pursuant to Article 4 of 
the Act on the Management of Public Institutions. 
 
5.  The term "business operator, etc." means a person other than a public research institution who 
operates a business related to intellectual propert y or engages in such business as research and 
support. 
 
Article 4 (Responsibilities of State, etc.) 
 
(1) The State shall formulate and promote compre hensive policies to promote the creation, 
protection and utilization of intellectual prope rty and create the foundations thereof according 
to the objectives and basic principles of this Act.  
 (2) A local government shall formulate and promote policies for intellectual property by region in 
consideration of the policies of the Stat e under paragraph (1) a nd relevant regional 
characteristics.  
 (3)  A public research institution, business operato r, etc. shall endeavor to create and actively 
utilize excellent intellectual property and afford  better treatment to researchers and creators 
under its supervision, and provide reasonable re muneration to them for the outcomes thereof. 
 (4)  The State, local governments, public research  institutions and business operators, etc. shall 
mutually cooperate so that government polic ies for promoting creation, protection and  IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
 Page 5 
 
 
  utilization of intellectual property and creating th e foundations thereof may be promoted in an 
effective manner.  
 
Article 5 (Relations with Other Acts) 
 (1)  Where other Acts related to intellectual prope rty are enacted or amended, they shall satisfy 
the objectives and basic principles of this Act. 
 (2)  Except as otherwise provided for in other Acts, this Act shall apply to the promotion of 
policies for intellectual property. 
 
 
CHAPTER II FORMULATION OF POLICIES FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
 AND PROMOTION SYSTEM THEREOF  
 
Article 6 (Establishment and Functions of Presidential Council on Intellectual Property) 
 
(1)  The Presidential Council on Intellectual Prope rty (hereinafter referred to as the "Council") 
shall be established under the jurisdiction of th e President to deliberate on and coordinate 
main policies and plans of the Government on intellectual property and to inspect and evaluate the conditions of the promotion thereof.  
 
(2)  The Council shall deliberate on and coordinate the following matters:  
1.  Matters concerning the formulation and change of the master plan for national 
intellectual property under Article 8 and the action plan for national intellectual 
property under Article 9;  
 
2. Matters concerning the inspection and eval uation of the conditions for promoting the 
master plan and the action plan under Article 10; 
 
3.  Matters concerning the direction of the distribution and the efficient management of 
financial resources related to intellectual property; 
 
4.  Matters concerning policies for promoting the creation, protection and utilization of 
intellectual property and creating the foundations thereof under this Act; 
 
5.  Other matters deemed necessary by a ch airperson of the Council for promoting the 
creation, protection and utilization of intellectual property and creating the foundations thereof, or requested by the heads of central administrative agencies 
concerned or a Special Metropolitan City Mayor, Metropolitan City Mayor, Do Governor or the Governor of a Special Se lf-Governing Province (hereinafter referred 
to as the "Mayor/Do Governor").  
 
(3)  Where matters that the Council intends to delib erate on or coordinate are related to a policy or 
plan formulated in ac cordance with other Acts, the Council shall consult in advance with the 
agency in charge of the relevant policy or plan.  
 Article 7 (Organization and Operation of Presidential Council on Intellectual Property) 
 
(1)  The Council shall be comprised of not more than 40 members, including two chairpersons.   IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
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  (2)  The Prime Minister and a person appointed by the President from among members under 
 paragraph (3) 2 shall serve as chairpersons.   (3)  The following persons shall serve as members of the Council:  
1.   Heads of central administrative agencies concerned and public officials in political 
service as prescribed by Presidential Decree;  
 
2.  Persons appointed by the President  from among those who have considerable 
knowledge and experience in intellectual property. 
 
(4)  The term of office of the members under paragr aph (3) 2 shall be two years, and they may be 
reappointed only once: Provided, That the term of office of a member newly appointed due to the resignation, etc. of a member shall be the remaining period of the term of office of his/her predecessor. 
 
(5)  Each chairperson shall represent the Council and the chairperson who is the Prime Minister 
shall call a meeting of the Council and preside over the meeting, and where he/she is unable 
to perform his/her duties due to inevitable reasons, another chairperson appointed by the 
President pursuant to paragraph (2) shall perform his/her duties on his/her behalf.  
 
(6)  In order to perform the business of the Counc il in an efficient manner, specialized committees 
by field may be established in the Council.  
 (7)  Other matters necessary for the organiza tion and operation of the Council and specialized 
committees shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. 
 
Article 8 (Formulation of Master Plan for National Intellectual Property) 
 
(1)  The Government shall, every five years, formulate a master plan for national intellectual 
property that defines the objectives of and basi c direction-setting for mid-term and long-term 
policies concerning intellectual property (hereinafter  referred to as "master plan") in order to 
achieve the objectives of this Act in an efficient manner.  
 (2)  Where the Government intends to formulate or change a master plan, it shall confirm the 
master plan after deliberation by the Council an d announce the same officially without delay: 
Provided, That this shall not apply to case s where the Government intends to change 
insignificant matters prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
 (3)  A master plan shall include the following matters:   
1.  The objectives of and basic direction-setting for policies for intellectual property;  
 
2.  Strategies for the creation, protection a nd utilization of intellectual property and new 
intellectual property; 
 
3.  A plan for strengthening abilities of indus trial circles, academic circles, research 
circles, cultural and artistic circles, etc. to create intellectual property; 
 
4.  Matters concerning the protection of inte llectual property of nationals of the Republic 
of Korea in foreign countries (including co rporations or organizations established in 
accordance with the law of the Republic of Ko rea; hereinafter the same shall apply); 
  IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
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  5.  A plan for preventing danger and harm to  the security of the people, etc. due to an 
infringement on intellectual property; 
 
6.  A plan for the fair use of intellectual property; 
 
7.  Matters concerning the creation of the intellectual property-friendly social 
environment; 
 
8.  Matters concerning the international standardization of intellectual property; 
 
9.  Matters concerning the collection, analys is and provision of information related to 
intellectual property; 
 
10.  A plan for strengthening intellectual pr operty-related aptitude of small and medium 
enterprises, farmers and fishermen, etc.; 
 
11.  Matters concerning support for access to intellectual property by an economically or 
socially neglected class of people; 
 
12.  A plan for training of professional human resources in intellectual property; 
 
13.  A plan for the internationalization of an intellectual property-related system;  
 
14.  A plan for the investment of the Govern ment's budget in the promotion of policies for 
intellectual property; 
 
15.  A plan for the reform of Acts and subordinate statutes to improve cultural, 
educational and financial systems, et c. related to intellectual property; 
 
16.  Other matters necessary for promoting the creation, protection and utilization of 
intellectual property and for creating the foundations thereof.  
 
(4)  Detailed procedures for the formulation and ch ange of a master plan shall be prescribed by 
Presidential Decree.  
 
Article 9 (Formulation of Action Plan for National Intellectual Property) 
 (1)  The Government shall formulate an annua l action plan for national intellectual property 
(hereinafter referred to as "action plan") w ith promotion plans submitted by the heads of 
central administrative agencies concerned and the Mayors/Do Governors according to a master plan under Article 8.  
 (2)  Where the Government intends to formulate and change an action plan, it shall confirm the 
action plan after deliberation by the Council: Provided, That this shall not apply to cases 
where it intends to change insignificant ma tters prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
 (3)  Detailed procedures for formulating and ch anging an action plan shall be prescribed by 
Presidential Decree.  
 
Article 10 (Inspection and Evaluation of Conditions of Promotion) 
 
(1)  The Council shall inspect and evaluate the c onditions of the promotion of a master plan and 
an action plan. IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
Page 8  
 
   
(2)  If necessary to efficiently promote a master  plan and an action plan, the Council may notify 
the heads of central administ rative agencies concerned or the Mayors/Do Governors of its 
opinion for the improvement thereof reflecting the findings of inspection and evaluation under paragraph (1).  
 
(3)  The heads of central admi nistrative agencies concerned or the Mayors/Do Governors notified 
of an opinion for improvement pursuant to pa ragraph (2) shall formulate a plan necessary for 
the improvement thereof and submit it to the Council, and the Council shall inspect the condition of the implementation of the plan  submitted by the relevant agencies.  
 
(4)  Other matters necessary for the inspection and evaluation of conditions of the promotion of a 
master plan and an action plan shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. 
 
Article 11 (Secretariat of Presidential Council on Intellectual Property) 
 
(1)  A secretariat may be established in the Council to support the business thereof.  
 (2)  If necessary to conduct Council affairs effi ciently, the Council may request the heads of 
central administrative agencies, local governments,  other related instituti ons or organizations, 
etc. to dispatch public officials or execu tives and employees under their supervision to the 
Council or to have them concurrent ly hold a position in the Council.  
 (3)  Matters necessary for organizing and operating the secretariat under paragraph (1) shall be 
 prescribed by Presidential Decree.   Article 12 (Designation of Officers in Charge of Policies for Intellectual Property) 
 
The head of a central administrative agency con cerned and a Mayor/Do Governor may designate an 
officer to be in charge of policies for inte llectual property from among the public officials under 
his/her control to efficiently formulate and execute  policies for intellectual property of the relevant 
agency.  
 
Article 13 (Notification of Enactment, Amendm ent, etc. of Related Acts and Subordinate 
Statutes) 
 
(1)  Where the head of a central administrative agency and a Mayor/Do Governor intends to enact 
or amend an Act, subordinate statute or munici pal ordinance related to intellectual property, 
or to formulate or change main policies and plan s (hereinafter in this Article referred to as 
"main policies, etc."), he/she shall notif y the Council of the details thereof.  
 (2)  The Council may advance its opinion on the Act,  subordinate statute, municipal ordinance or 
main policies, etc. notified pursuant to pa ragraph (1), and the head of the central 
administrative agency concerned or the Mayor/Do Governor shall endeavor to reflect its 
opinion therein.  
 (3)  Detailed procedures for notification under pa ragraph (1) and presentation of opinions under 
paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
 
Article 14 (Request for Cooperation of Related Institutions, etc.) 
 
If necessary to conduct Council affairs, the Council ma y request central admini strative agencies, local 
governments, other related institu tions, organizations or experts to submit materials or advance  IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
 Page 9 
 
 
  opinions, or to conduct research or study. In such cases, the Council may reimburse expenses incurred 
therein within budgetary limits.   
Article 15 (Annual Report)  
 (1)  Within three months after each fiscal year h as lapsed, the Government shall prepare an annual 
report on the actual results of the promotion of an action plan in the relevant fiscal year and 
submit the same to the National Assembly.  
 (2)  Matters necessary for the preparation of an annual report under paragraph (1) shall be 
prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
  
CHAPTER III  PROMOTION OF CREATION, PROTECTION AND UTILIZATION 
  OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
 
SECTION 1  Promotion of Creation of Intellectual Property 
 Article 16 (Promotion of Creation of Intellectual Property) 
 
The Government shall formulate and promote polici es, including the following matters, to promote 
the creation of excellent intellectual property: 
 
1.  Research on and analysis of statistics and indexes related to intellectual property; 
 2.  The trend of the development of futu re intellectual property and the outlook for 
related industries and markets;  
 3.  Support for strengthening of intellectual property-related aptitude of public research 
institutions and business operators, etc.; 
 4.  Education for strengthening abilities of researchers, creators and intellectual property 
managers; 
 5.  Improvement in laws and systems to pr omote the creation of excellent intellectual 
property; 
 
6.  Support for the vitalization of joint research and development of public research 
institutions and business operators, etc. in the Republic of Korea and abroad; 
 7.  Other matters necessary for promoting the creation of excellent intellectual property.  
 
Article 17 (Connection of Research and Developmen t with Creation of Intellectual Property)  
 
(1)  The Government shall support research and de velopment so that the outcomes of research and 
development may lead to the creation of excellent intellectual property.  
 (2)  The Government shall support research and development so that information on related 
intellectual property may be utilized in the entire process of planning, management, 
evaluation, etc. of research and development.  
 (3)  The Government shall take necessary measures so that evaluation on research and 
development may be conducted based on the outcom es of the creation of intellectual property.  IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
Page 10  
 
   
Article 18 (Support for Creation of New Intellectual Property) 
 
(1)  The Government shall promote the creation,  protection and utilization of new intellectual 
property. 
 
(2)  The Government shall research and analyze th e current status of new intellectual property to 
promote the creation, protection and ut ilization of new intellectual property. 
 (3)  The Government shall reform related Acts and subordinate statutes so that new intellectual 
property may be protected in a proper way, a nd take necessary measures, including support 
for developing means of technical protection related thereto and vitalizing the utilization 
thereof.  
 
Article 19 (Reward to Creators of Intellectual Property) 
 
The Government shall promote the social environm ent and foundations for an individual who creates 
intellectual property to be fairly rewarded , and formulate policies necessary therefor. 
 
SECTION 2  Strengthening Protection of Intellectual Property 
 
Article 20 (Promotion of Claiming Rights and Protection of Intellectual property) 
 
The Government shall formulate and promote po licies, including the following matters, so that 
intellectual property may be expe ditiously and accurately confirmed as a right, and protected 
effectively: 
 
1.  A plan for the reform of systems, etc. for the examination, judgment, registration of 
intellectual property; 
 2.  A plan for strengthening legal and administrative measures for the protection of 
intellectual property; 
 
3.  A plan for strengthening technical measur es, such as the establishment of a security 
system and information system for the protection of intellectual property; 
 4.  A plan for cooperation with institutions a nd organizations related to the protection of 
intellectual property in the Republic of Korea and abroad; 
 5.  A plan for claiming intellectual property rights and for securing professional human 
resources related to the protection thereof; 
 6.  Other matters necessary for claiming intell ectual property rights and the promotion of 
the protection thereof.  
 
Article 21 (Reform, etc. of Litigation System)  
 
(1)  The Government shall endeavor to improve systems, including the simplification of legal 
proceedings, so that intellectual property disput es may be settled expeditiously and fairly, and 
the relief for rights may be substantially realized.  
 (2)  The Government shall reform a litigation sy stem and strengthen the professionalism of related 
human resources to secure professionalism of the settlement of intellectual property disputes.   IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
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Article 22 (Vitalization of Procedures for Settlement of Disputes Other Than Trials) 
 
The Government shall vitalize simple and convenien t procedures for the settlement of disputes other 
than via trial, such as reconciliation and arbitratio n, so that intellectual property disputes may be 
settled in an expeditious and efficient manner, enha nce professionalism, and take necessary measures, 
including strengthening guidance and public rela tions, so that the same may be utilized easily.  
 
Article 23 (Response to Infringement of Intellectual Property Rights) 
 (1)  The Government shall formulate and prom ote countermeasures, including the following 
matters to strengthen execution activities, such  as control over or investigation into 
infringements of intellectual property rights: 
 
1.  A plan for preventing illegal leakage of intellectual property and infringement of 
intellectual property rights;  
 2.  A plan for eradicating the manufacture, distribution, or export and import of goods 
infringing intellectual property; 
 3.  A plan for cooperation among institutions concerned to prevent infringement of 
intellectual property rights; 
 4.  Other matters necessary to respond to infringement of intellectual property rights.  
 (2)  The Council and the heads of central admini strative agencies concerned may request the head 
of an intelligence or investigative agency to  collect or provide necessary information or 
materials, and provide cooperation to form ulate countermeasures under paragraph (1).  
 
Article 24 (Protection of Intellectual Property in Foreign Countries) 
 
(1)  The Government shall make efforts so that  intellectual property possessed by a national of the 
Republic of Korea may be protected appropriately in foreign countries.  
 (2)  Where intellectual property possessed by a natio nal of the Republic of Korea is not protected 
appropriately in foreign countries, the Govern ment shall take necessary measures, including 
investigation into the current status of the ma tter, requesting the relevant foreign government 
to take measures, and cooperation with intern ational organizations a nd related organizations, 
by official authority or at the request of the person concerned. 
 
SECTION 3  Promotion of Utilization of Intellectual Property  
 
Article 25 (Promotion of Utilization of Intellectual Property) 
 
(1)  The Government shall formulate and promote policies, including the following matters, to 
promote the utilization of intellectual prope rty, such as transfer, transactions and 
commercialization of intellectual property: 
 
1.  A plan for activating business star tups by utilizing intellectual property;  
 2.  A plan for activating connection between  consumers and supplie rs of intellectual 
property; 
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  3.  A plan for increasing values of intellect ual property, such as discovery, collection, 
merger, additional development and claiming rights of intellectual property, and for 
raising funds necessary therefor; 
 4.  A plan for reforming systems to promote the liquidation of intellectual property; 
 
5.  A plan for activating investment in, fi nancing, and establishing trust, guarantee, 
insurance, etc. on intellectual property; 
 6.  Other matters necessary to promote the utilization of intellectual property.  
 
(2)  The Government shall endeavor to promot e the utilization of intellectual property possessed 
and managed by the State, local governments or public research institutions. 
 
Article 26 (Fostering Intellectual Property Service Industry) 
 
(1)  The Government shall foster the service indus try related to intellectual property (hereinafter 
referred to as "intellectual property service industry"), such as the analysis and provision of information related to intellectual property, th e evaluation, transactions and management of 
intellectual property, and the formulation of a nd consultation about stra tegies for management 
of intellectual property.  
 
(2)  The Government may give necessary support to the intellectual property service industry, 
such as support for business startups and training of human resources, provision of information. 
 
(3)  The Government may select business operators , etc. with the ability and actual results who 
are able to provide excellent intellectual property services and offer them rewards and 
necessary support, such as conferring benefits for participation in relevant Government 
projects. 
 (4)  The Government shall establish a system for classification of the intellectual property service 
industry, and collect and analyze the related statistics.  
 
Article 27 (Establishment of Evaluation Systems for Intellectual Property)  
 
(1)  The Government shall establish an ev aluation methodology and evaluation system for 
intellectual property to promote the objective evaluation of intellectual property. 
 (2)  The Government shall provide support so  that an evaluation methodology and evaluation 
system under paragraph (1) may be utilized in tran sactions, finance, etc. related to intellectual 
property. 
 
(3)  The Government shall train related human r esources to vitalize the evaluation of intellectual 
property.  
 
Article 28 (Establishment of Order in Fair Use of Intellectual Property) 
 (1)  The Government shall endeavor to promote th e fair use of intellectual property and to prevent 
any abuse of intellectual property rights. 
 (2)  The Government shall take necessary measur es so that intellectual property created by joint 
efforts may be distributed fairly among the persons concerned.   IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
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  (3)  The Government shall prevent unfair tran sactions of intellectual property between large 
companies and small and medium enterp rises, and promote mutual cooperation. 
  
CHAPTER IV CREATION OF FOUNDATIONS TO PROMOTE CREATION, 
 PROTECTION AND UTILIZATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY  
Article 29 (Creation of Intellectual Property-Friendly Social Environment) 
 
(1)  The Government shall formulate and promote policies to improve people’s awareness of 
intellectual property, such as education, public  relations, and cultural events to create the 
social environment that values intellectual property.  
 (2)  The Government shall formulate and promote policies to promote the creation, protection and 
utilization of intellectual pr operty by region to enhance competitiveness in intellectual 
property of each region. 
 
Article 30 (International Standardization of Intellectual Property) 
 
(1)  The Government shall formulate and prom ote policies to provide support necessary during 
the entire process from the planning stage of resear ch to the acquisition of standards so that 
intellectual property being created or already created from a research and development project 
may be connected to the international standa rds under subparagraph 2 of Article 3 of the 
Framework Act on National Standards.  
 (2)  The Government shall collect, analyze and provide information on tr ends related to the 
international standards to support the internati onal standardization of intellectual property.  
 
Article 31 (Collection, Analysis and Provision of Information on Intellectual Property) 
 
(1)  The Government shall formulate and promote policies, including the following matters, to 
promote the production, distribution and utiliza tion of information on intellectual property: 
 
1.  A plan to collect, analyze, process and establish databases of information on 
intellectual property; 
 2.  Matters concerning the establishment of a system for classification of information on 
intellectual property and the preparation, suppl ementation, etc. of a classified table of 
intellectual property; 
 3.  A plan to improve accessibility to in formation, such as the establishment of an 
intellectual property information network a nd the establishment of a special library 
for intellectual property; 
 
4.  A plan for research and development nec essary to activate the collection, analysis and 
provision of information on intellectual property; 
 5.  A plan to foster institutions specializ ed in the management and distribution of 
information on intellectual property; 
 6.  Other matters necessary to collect, anal yze and provide information on intellectual 
property.  
 IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
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  (2)  Where the Government promotes policies under paragraph (1), it shall take necessary 
measures so that personal information, national secrets, etc., may be protected.  
 
Article 32 (Support to Economic and Social Minorities) 
 (1)  The Government shall provide support necessary to strengthen the abilities of small and 
medium enterprises, farmers and fishermen, i ndividuals, etc. to create, protect and utilize 
intellectual property. 
 (2)  The Government may certify management of  intellectual property for small and medium 
enterprises that excellently perform strate gic management activities for promoting the 
creation, protection and utilization of intell ectual property, as prescribed by Presidential 
Decree.  
 (3)  The Government shall provide necessary supp ort so that persons who have difficulty in 
having access to intellectual property, including the disabled and the aged may easily utilize 
intellectual property.  
 
Article 33 (Strengthening Education on Intellectual Property) 
 
(1)  The Government shall strengthen educati on on intellectual property to enhance people’s 
awareness of intellectual property and their ability  to create and utilize intellectual property.  
 (2)  The Government shall encourage schools so that intellectual property-related content may be 
reflected in the regular curricula of schools as defined in Article 2 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act and Article 2 of the Higher Education Act.  
 
(3)  The Government shall foster schools speci alized in intellectual property and encourage 
schools to establish departments or cour ses related to intellectual property. 
 (4)  The Government shall encourage lifelong edu cational institutions so that content to widen 
understanding on and interest in intellectual pr operty may be included in the curricula of 
lifelong educational instituti ons under Article 2 of th e Lifelong Education Act. 
 
Article 34 (Training for Professional Huma n Resources in Intellectual Property)  
 
(1)  The Government shall train professional human resources necessary to create, protect and 
utilize intellectual property and create the foundations thereof. 
 (2)  The Government shall formulate a plan for training female professional human resources in 
intellectual property, and encourage them to di splay their quality and ability in the field of 
intellectual property to the fullest extent.  
 
(3)  The Government shall cooperate with industrial circles, academic circl es, research circles and 
cultural and artistic circles, etc. to train prof essional human resources in intellectual property. 
 (4)  The Government may subsidize all or some of expenses incurred in relation to educational 
facilities, the development of teaching material s, education, etc. by public research 
institutions or business operators, etc. to tr ain professional human resources in intellectual 
property.  
  IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
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  Article 35 (Fostering Intellectual Property Research Institutions) 
 
(1)  The Government shall foster research ins titutions specializing in research and study systems 
or policies related to intellectual property.  
 
(2)  The Government shall foster corporations  or organizations established for the purpose of 
creating, protecting and utilizing intellectual property and creating the foundations thereof.  
 (3)  The Government may contribute or subsidize all or some of expenses incurred in operating 
research institutions under paragra ph (1) or corporations or orga nizations under paragraph (2).  
 
Article 36 (Internationalization of Intellectual Property Systems) 
 
(1)  The Government shall formulate and promote policies necessary to harmonize an intellectual 
property system of the Republic of Korea with  the international commitments and norms so 
that the creation, protection and utilization of in tellectual property may be realized effectively 
in the Republic of Korea and abroad.  
 (2)  The Government shall cooperate with forei gn governments, international organizations, etc. 
to establish systems for intellectual property c onsistent with the international standards. 
 
(3)  The Government shall research and analyze e ffects of international agreements with foreign 
governments, international organi zations, etc., including treaties and conventions on systems, 
policies or markets related to intellectual prope rty of the Republic of Korea and shall establish 
appropriate measures therefor.  
 Article 37 (Support to Developing Countries) 
 
The Government may provide support necessary to  improve the abilities of developing countries to 
create and utilize intellectual property to contribute to the elimination of poverty, economic growth 
and cultural development of developing countries.   Article 38 (Inter-Korean Cooperation in Exchange of Intellectual Property)  
 
The Government shall endeavor to promote inter-Ko rean exchange and cooperation in the field of 
intellectual property by promoting research and st udy activities on systems, policies or the current 
status related to intellectual property in th e Democratic People's Republic of Korea.  
 
 
CHAPTER V SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS  
 
Article 39 (Prohibition of Divulgence of Classified Information) 
 No member of the Council or a specialized committee,  or staff of the secretariat or person who was in 
the position thereof, person who conducts or conduc ted Council affairs by dispatch, commission, 
entrustment, etc., shall divulge any classified info rmation he/she learned in the course of duty.  
 
Article 40 (Legal Fiction as Public Officials in Application of Penal Provisions)  
 
The members of the Council and specialized committees, persons who are not public officials among the staff of the secretariat shall be deemed public  officials when the provisions of Articles 129 
through 132 of the Criminal Act are applied.   IP/N/1/KOR/O/1 
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  ADDENDA 
 
Article 1 (Enforcement Date) 
 
This Act shall enter into force two months afte r the date of its promulgation: Provided, That 
Article 2 (9) of Addenda shall enter into force on June 11, 2012.  
 
Article 2 Omitted.  
 
 
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