1st Copyright of NK Work Registered in SK

A North Korean copyright holder made a registration in South Korea for the first time.

The Copyright Commission in Seoul says that it registered the copyright of two 3-4 minute long North Korean video clips made in the 1960s that taped the fan and the drum dance of the late dancer Choi Seung-hee, who immigrated to the North permanently.

The copyright holder is Choi's nephew and North Korean choreographer Choi Ho-seob. The Inter-Korean Economic and Cultural Cooperation Foundation conducted the registration for him.

A foundation official said, "When we received the video from Choi, he asked for copyright protection so we registered the right to prevent its illegal online spread".

The commission expects similar cases to follow amid rising interest and demand for North Korean works including songs.

Choi is a globally renowned dancer who modernized classical dance and played a significant role in the development of modern Korean dance. She was dubbed the 'dancer of the Orient' during performances in the West. After moving to the North, she continued her activities in Pyongyang.

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