Full-Scale Launch of the K-Brand Government Certification System for Joint Government-Industry Action – South Korea’s MOIP
26-Oct-2026
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Source : The South Korea’s Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP)
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Visits : 47
- The Korean Government to combat counterfeiting through certification marks on Korean products and advanced authentication technologies.
- A comprehensive protection framework: Government Certification → Consumer Verification of Authenticity → Counterfeit Tracking → International Joint Investigation.
- 31 companies applying to participate, including Samyang Foods, Amorepacific, Korea Ginseng Corporation, and leading SMEs.
DAEJEON - The South Korea’s Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), led by Minister KIM Yong Sun, announced the official launch of the “K-Brand Government Certification System” on October 7, 2026. Under the system, the Government of the Republic of Korea will directly hold the trademark rights to a government-owned mark used to certify the authenticity of K-brand products (hereinafter referred to as the “government certification mark”) and work alongside Korean businesses to combat the growing circulation of counterfeits of their products overseas, according to the official website of MOIP.
According to an OECD report published in 2024, the global scale of counterfeit K-brand goods distribution is estimated at approximately KRW 11 trillion. This growing problem is also reflected in the increasing number of bad-faith registrations of Korean trademarks overseas and the proliferation of products that exploit the popularity of the Korean Wave by falsely presenting themselves as Korean products. The new system was introduced in response to growing concerns that individual companies cannot adequately address these challenges on their own.
< Leveraging Internationally Protected Trademark Rights and Encouraging Responsible Practices >
At the core of the new system is the use of trademark rights, a form of intellectual property protected internationally under relevant treaties, to enable the Korean Government to partner with businesses to respond to counterfeit products as the rights holder of a government certification mark. The main framework is that if this mark is counterfeited overseas, the Korean Government, as the infringed rights holder, will actively enforce its rights to the extent permitted under the laws of the respective countries. The domestic trademark application was completed in September 2026, with applications in 73 major export markets scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
< About the Government Certification Trademark >
- Government Certification Trademark: A mark through which the Korean Government certifies the authenticity of K-brand products (Rights holder: Republic of Korea).
- Design concept: The mark combines the concepts of K-Lifestyle, K-Spirit, K-Culture, and K-Tech to represent the full spectrum of K-brand products.
- Symbolism: Its design, featuring elements converging and expanding in all directions, symbolizes the global reach and growing influence of K-brands.
Korean companies may voluntarily decide whether to use the government certification mark and, if they choose to participate, affix it to their products. The government also plans to incorporate advanced anti-counterfeiting and product authentication technology developed by the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (KOMSCO), drawing on its extensive expertise in currency production, to make the mark difficult to counterfeit. Overseas consumers will be able to verify the authenticity of K-brand products simply by scanning the government certification mark with their smartphone cameras, without installing a separate application. The Korean Government will analyze the scanned data to track where counterfeit products are being distributed and use this information to support enforcement efforts in cooperation with local law enforcement authorities.
Currently, 31 companies have applied to participate, including Samyang Foods, Amorepacific, Korea Ginseng Corporation, and prominent SMEs. These participating companies will be granted access to a system for collecting information on genuine and counterfeit products. SMEs and mid-sized enterprises will also be eligible for financial support of up to KRW 200 million per company to cover the costs of adopting product authentication technology. Additional benefits will be offered through export support programs operated by relevant organizations. These include discounted export insurance premiums from the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE), additional points in the selection process for participation in export exhibitions organized by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and access to a dedicated sales section on tradeKorea, the online B2B marketplace operated by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).
< Promoting consumer awareness through Korean Celebrities and strengthening overseas enforcement through INTERPOL cooperation>
MOIP will also strengthen promotional efforts targeting overseas consumers and enhance enforcement activities in foreign markets. Promotional videos featuring Korean celebrities will be produced and widely distributed through global platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. The initiative aims to encourage overseas consumers to make it a regular practice to scan the government certification mark, identified by the letter “K,” to verify the authenticity of K-brand products.
Efforts to strengthen overseas investigations and enforcement against counterfeit products will also be expanded. MOIP plans to dispatch specialized personnel to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to support coordinated action against the habitual or large-scale manufacture and distribution of counterfeit K-brand products. In addition, MOIP will continue to leverage its cooperation networks with foreign governments to seek stronger measures against counterfeit K-brand products, including investigations, enforcement actions, and the suspension of customs clearance.
Through these measures, MOIP aims to establish a comprehensive overseas protection network for K-brand, seamlessly linking government certification → consumer verification of authenticity → counterfeit tracking → international joint investigation.
Minister Kim stated, “K-brands are more than just assets belonging to individual companies. They are valuable national assets built on the passion and determination of the Korean people. To ensure that Korean businesses do not suffer unfair losses from counterfeit products overseas and that K-brands are trusted and chosen by consumers around the world, the Korean Government will stand firmly behind them.”
Companies interested in participating in the K-Brand Government Certification System may submit their applications through the official application portal (koipa.re.kr/k-brand) by November 10, 2026.
Detailed inquiries can be directed to the Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency (KOIPA) at +82-2-6196-2045, 2063, or 2064.