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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

South Korean writers form union to combat poor working conditions and stagnant pay

From Hankyoreh · (39m ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A new union representing writers, including traditional authors, webnovelists, webtoon artists, illustrators, and cartoonists, has been established in South Korea.
  • The union aims to protect writers' labor rights and negotiate with publishers and platforms for better working conditions and fair compensation, as current pay rates have stagnated for two decades.
  • A recent survey revealed that 77% of writers experience health deterioration due to their work, and over 60% earn less than 10 million won annually from writing, highlighting the precarious nature of the profession.

The establishment of the Writers' Union marks a significant moment for creators in South Korea, who have long grappled with exploitative contracts and inadequate compensation. For too long, the narrative has been that artists should prioritize their craft over financial stability, a notion that has led to widespread burnout and health issues among our ranks.

The chronic occupational diseases that writers have are evidence of them being laborers.

— Oh Bit-na-riThe chairwoman of the Writers' Union emphasizes the physical toll of the profession as proof of its labor-intensive nature.

As the union's chairwoman, Oh Bit-na-ri, eloquently stated, the chronic occupational diseases many writers suffer are undeniable proof of their status as laborers. The current system, where royalty rates have remained stagnant for twenty years while platform fees and intermediary exploitation have become more sophisticated, is unsustainable. This union is not just about demanding higher pay; it's about reclaiming dignity and ensuring a livable future for all who dedicate their lives to writing and art.

We believe there is no reason why we should not be issued a union registration certificate, just as a delivery riders' union was established.

— Oh Bit-na-riThe union chairwoman expresses confidence in obtaining official recognition, drawing parallels with other labor movements.

Western media often frames such struggles through the lens of individual artistic freedom versus corporate interests. However, from our perspective in South Korea, this is fundamentally a labor rights issue. The unique ecosystem of web novels, webtoons, and digital content creation here means that creators are often subjected to intense work schedules and platform demands that mirror traditional employment, yet lack its protections. The union's fight for official recognition and collective bargaining power is a crucial step towards addressing these systemic inequalities and ensuring that creative work is valued as legitimate labor.

I believe that sexual violence within the literary community is a form of industrial accident.

— Oh Bit-na-riThe union chairwoman frames sexual harassment within the industry as a workplace safety issue that requires a labor-focused approach.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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