Korean Webtoon Creators Demand Extradition of New Rabbit Site Operator from Japan

The extradition of New Rabbit site operator has become a public demand from South Korea’s top webtoon and cartoonist associations. On July 22, the Korea Cartoonist Association and the Korea Webtoon Authors Association launched a petition urging the Japanese government to extradite the individual responsible for running one of the internet’s largest illegal webtoon piracy platforms.

Korean Webtoon Creators Demand Extradition of New Rabbit Site Operator from Japan

According to data shared by the associations, by August 2023, six major illegal content distribution sites had amassed 260 million visits, 2.25 billion pageviews, and 12.2 million unique users. New Rabbit alone was responsible for 1.15 billion of those pageviews—over half of the total. The estimated financial damage attributed to the site’s activity is roughly $29 million.

The operator is also suspected of running additional piracy platforms, such as Book Rabbit (focused on web novels) and Mana Rabbit (specializing in Japanese manga).

The associations claim the operator evaded criminal prosecution in 2022 by acquiring Japanese citizenship. “Despite repeated requests for legal cooperation by the Korean government, Japanese authorities have failed to act, allowing their citizen to continue operating illegal services without consequences,” said representatives of the associations. “Creators themselves are now stepping forward to demand the extradition of New Rabbit site operator.”

In addition to the petition, a press conference is scheduled for August 11 in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. The goal is to increase pressure on the Japanese government to take decisive action.

The associations are also urging Japan to arrest the individual, cooperate with the extradition process, seize all related servers and assets located in Japan, and encourage Japanese content companies to join in the legal efforts.

via YNA