[fn Editorial] China’s Dominance in Global Patents Could Hinder Korean Companies

Reports indicate that China filed 1.8 million patents last year, accounting for 49.1% of the global total—nearly half. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), China’s patent filings are three times those of the United States of America (USA), which recorded 600,000. The shift in patent leadership to China is a clear sign of a major realignment in the global technological power structure.
Technological capability and patents are objective measures. While market size or marketing strategies may temporarily dominate product markets, such advantages are fleeting. Patents and technology are built over time and are not easily overturned. Rather than simply marveling at China’s growing patent portfolio, it is crucial to analyze and learn from China’s competitiveness.
Once regarded as a latecomer focused on imitating advanced countries’ technologies, China—known as the 'world’s factory'—has shed its 'copycat' image and emerged as a patent powerhouse. This transformation is striking, especially given China’s overwhelming dominance in cutting-edge fields, prompting reflection on Korea’s current position.
China now holds 60% of the world’s artificial intelligence (AI) patents and leads in patent filings across key future industries such as computer technology, electrical machinery, and digital communications. The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has declared its intention to accelerate the establishment of international rules and standards in new fields like AI and Big data. China’s strength in advanced industries is underpinned by its patent dominance. This progress extends beyond patents, as China also excels in publishing academic papers, both in quantity and quality, further establishing its leadership in advanced knowledge and technology.
If this trend continues, Korean companies may soon face barriers from China’s vast 'patent Great Wall.' Even if Korean firms develop core technologies, their commercialization could be thwarted by patents already secured by China. There may come a time when entering the market is only possible by paying substantial royalties to China. There are growing concerns that Korea’s strengths in sectors such as semiconductors, batteries, and the biotechnology industry could be undermined by China’s aggressive patent strategy.
In fact, after becoming the global leader in patents and academic publications, China’s next goal is standardization. China has announced its ambition to lead the creation of international rules and standards in emerging fields like AI and Big data. If China’s plans proceed smoothly, the global technology ecosystem could be reorganized around China. Should Chinese-led technical standards become the global norm, even the most advanced technologies developed by Korean companies could be marginalized in the market.
China’s patent ambitions have become a reality. In contrast, Korea still lags in both the quantity and quality of technology and patents. Without a heightened sense of urgency and a strong foundation in research and development and basic science, Korea risks becoming technologically dependent, trapped behind China’s formidable patent barriers. The government, industry, and academia must join forces to strengthen R&D capabilities and secure technological competitiveness that leverages Korea’s unique strengths.