Korean Government Introduces K-Brand Certification System to Combat Overseas Counterfeiting

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April 27, 2026

Korean Government to Crack down on Overseas K-Brands Counterfeits to the End

• Government to take a direct role as ‘Trademark Holder’ in responding to overseas counterfeits.
• Real-time monitoring and response to overseas counterfeit distribution through authentication technology and pan-government cooperation.

The Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), led by Minister KIM Yong Sun, announced at a cabinet meeting on the March 31, 2026 the officially introduction of a “K-brand Government Certification System.” The Korean government will step in directly to address the rapidly growing problem of counterfeit K-brand products overseas. Starting from the second half of 2026, the government plans to fully operationalize a system where it can directly responds to the overseas manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit goods by being the rights holder of the K-Brand certification mark. This marks a significant shift from the existing approach, where individual companies responded to counterfeits on their own.

The distribution of counterfeit goods imitating K-brands overseas has already reached a serious level. According to figures released by the OECD in 2024, the global distribution of counterfeit K-brand products is estimated at approximately KRW 11 trillion, including KRW 7 trillion in lost corporate sales, the loss of 14,000 jobs, and KRW 1.8 trillion in lost tax revenue. Despite the scale of the damage, affected companies have faced limits in responding due to difficulties in identifying production and distribution channels, communication and coordination challenges with local authorities, and low compensation for damages.

The government will move beyond its previous role of providing corporate support to directly securing trademark rights overseas and responding as a rights holder. Under the new framework, the government itself is the trademark holder who can directly urge local authorities to take enforcement actions.

Specifically, the Korea government will directly register K-brand certification marks in 70 major export destination countries and regions with high risks of counterfeit distribution. Korean companies will be able to voluntarily affix these certification marks to their products. In the event of infringement, the government will be able to mobilize cross-government measures, including diplomatic and trade channels, in response.

Moreover, the certification mark attached to approved K-brand products will incorporate the latest product authentication technology. Overseas consumers can immediately verify the authenticity of a product by scanning the certification mark with a mobile phone camera. At the same time, the Korean government can ito detect counterfeits in real time through a monitoring system of scan-linked data. Once counterfeit distribution is identified, relevant ministries and agencies — including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and Korea Customs Service — will cooperate to take prompt action, such as requesting investigations and crackdowns by local authorities and suspending exports through customs authorities.

With the introduction of this system, Korean exporters are expected to significantly reduce the time and cost burdens associated with responding to counterfeit goods and, in turn, strengthen their export competitiveness. Overseas consumers will also benefit from a safer environment in which they can purchase authentic K-brand products with confidence. In particular, real-time monitoring of counterfeit distribution will enable more precise and effective enforcement actions, further enhancing trust in K-brands.

Minister Kim stated, “With the introduction of the K-Brand certification mark, the fight against overseas counterfeits, which companies have endured alone, will now be transformed into a response framework where the government stands alongside them. Since protecting the value of K-brands is ultimately about protecting the national competitiveness of the Republic of Korea, We will carry on with the determination to eventually eradicate counterfeit K-brand products to the very end.”

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