It has been revealed that domestic users face a relatively heavier financial burden for YouTube as the YouTube Premium family plan—which allows up to six people in the UK and the US to use the service for around 35,000 won a month—has not been introduced in South Korea.

According to data submitted by Google to the Korea Communications Commission, obtained by Representative Han Jun-ho of the Democratic Party of Korea, who serves on the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, Google cited a failure to "reach appropriate agreements with domestic partners" as the reason for not launching the family plan in South Korea.

Google explained, "It is difficult to introduce the family plan unless music copyright holders agree to lower their royalty rates for it," adding, "We are exploring the launch of alternative products and are in discussions with relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Copyright Commission, as well as partner partners."

YouTube Premium includes YouTube Music, a music streaming service.

The family plan in the UK costs 19.99 pounds per month (approx. 35,400 won) and in the US 26.99 dollars per month (approx. 35,700 won), allowing up to six people to share it.

In contrast, South Korea lacks a family plan, requiring users to subscribe to individual plans.

If six people use the individual plan, which costs 14,900 won per month, the total comes to 89,400 won a month—about 2.5 times the cost of the family plans in the UK and the US.

Account-sharing scams targeting users who want family plans are also on the rise.

According to the Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations, 480 cases of scam damages were reported last year, where fraudsters took 4,000 to 5,000 won under the pretext of signing victims up for overseas family plans and then cut off the service.

Among them, 234 cases occurred in December of last year alone.

Representative Han emphasized, "Given the continuous scam damages, there is a high demand among citizens for a family plan, yet progress in resolving the issue remains slow even though the causes are known," adding, "Google, copyright organizations, and relevant ministries must work together to find a solution that protects the legitimate rights of creators while easing the burden on users."