Korean IP Experts Prioritize Patent Evidence Collection System Reform and AI Integration in Upcoming 2026 Policy Forum

Domestic intellectual property experts in South Korea have identified the improvement of the evidence collection system under the patent law as the most critical policy need for the nation's IP framework. This finding emerges ahead of the "2026 Intellectual Property Policy Forum," organized by the Korea Intellectual Property Journalists Association, scheduled for June 24 at the Korea Patent Attorneys Association auditorium in Seoul. The event commemorates the association's fifth anniversary and will unveil the results of a comprehensive survey.

The forum will gather prominent figures including Lee Kwang-hyung, chairman of the National Intellectual Property Committee; Jeong Yeon-woo, deputy director of the Ministry of Intellectual Property; Cha Ji-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker; and Choi Soo-jin, a lawmaker from the People's Power party. Together, they will deliberate on major policy proposals aimed at cultivating a new intellectual property ecosystem.

The association conducted a survey involving 200 domestic IP professionals to assess the urgency and importance of various government IP policies. Among the eight major policies evaluated—ranging from the "everyone's idea" initiative and IP information search artificial intelligence (AX) to fostering IP monetization companies, expanding ultra-fast patent screening, and K-brand government certification—the enhancement of the patent law's evidence collection system emerged as the foremost priority.

This evidence collection system pertains to the pre-trial securing and disclosure of litigation-related documents, which clarifies issues in patent lawsuits. Experts emphasized that such a system is essential for patentees to effectively protect their rights. The survey results showed that this policy received the highest recognition and ranked second in perceived importance.

Meanwhile, the adoption of AI for patent information searches, known as information search AX, scored highest in importance despite somewhat lower recognition among respondents. The integration of AI technologies into patent searches and prior art investigations is expected to significantly boost operational efficiency. Currently, the Ministry of Intellectual Property and the Korea Patent Information Service are advancing the AX capabilities of "Kipris," the nation's patent information search platform.

Overall, the eight policies garnered an average importance rating of 4.19 out of 5, indicating broad consensus on their significance. The prioritized list following the comprehensive evaluation is as follows: improvement of the patent law evidence collection system, IP information search AX, expansion of high-speed patent screening, fostering IP monetization companies, the "everyone's ideas" program, promotion of joining the Patent Law Treaty (PLT), K-brand government certification, and the development of local K-brand initiatives.

Kim Sung-wook, head of the Research Center at the Intellectual Property Journalists Association and a Seoul Women's University academic who led the survey, stressed the need for ongoing policy communication strategies. He advocated for continuous engagement with field experts to refine IP policies based on awareness and importance diagnostics.

The upcoming forum will also feature contributions from Jeong Yeon-woo, deputy director of the Ministry of Intellectual Property; Lee Chun-moo, head of the Intellectual Property Strategy Planning Division at the National Intellectual Property Committee; Kim Ji-soo, vice chairman of the Korea Patent Attorneys Association; and Jeong Sang-tae, vice chairman of the Korea Intellectual Property Lawyers Association. These participants will offer insights and policy recommendations.

Noh Sung-yeol, chairman of the Korea Association of Reporters on Traditional Property, highlighted the forum's significance by stating, "For various R&D ideas to mature into viable businesses, it is paramount to develop a thriving IP ecosystem. This forum provides an excellent platform for government officials, industry leaders, legal experts, and cooperative organizations to align their perspectives and exchange views."

The 2026 Intellectual Property Policy Forum thus represents a pivotal moment for South Korea's IP community to address pressing policy challenges and chart a forward-looking course for intellectual property governance.