Composer Kim Hyung-seok Throws Hat in the Ring for KOMCA Presidency, Vows to "Reclaim Rights Befitting K-Pop's Status"

Renowned composer and producer Kim Hyung-seok has officially announced his candidacy for the 25th presidency of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA).

With copyrights to over 1,400 songs, Kim declared his intention to "reclaim the rights befitting the status of K-pop and innovate the association to a global standard."

Kim, the mastermind behind numerous hits like Shin Seung-hun's 'I Believe' and Kim Kwang-seok's 'With Love as the Reason,' unveiled his 'Four Grand Visions for Innovation' for the election. These include: ▲Innovating the overseas royalty collection system ▲Expanding member welfare ▲Transparent management ▲Advancing AI-based platforms.

He emphasized, "The association must evolve beyond a mere collection agency into a global platform that protects creators' rights according to international standards and actively expands revenue."

Key proposals include establishing a 'K-MLC Global Collection System' to systematically recover royalties lost from overseas streaming, social media, and OTT platforms. He also plans to enhance welfare benefits for its 50,000 members, introduce a CEO system for transparent operations, and leverage AI for automated distribution and settlement.

Kim stated, "Music is our livelihood and our very lives. I have experienced creators' realities and concerns more closely than anyone else." He pledged, "I will stand by creators, protect their rights, and ensure a structure where their legitimate value is duly compensated."

Netizens reacted positively to Kim Hyung-seok's announcement, with comments like "Long awaited," "K-pop deserves to be treated accordingly," and "Looking forward to tangible changes." There were also opinions emphasizing, "Transparent association management is the most crucial."