This study explores the balance between copyright protection and industrial promotion in the metaverse environment, focusing on NFTs and user-generated content (UGC). Through analysis of Korea’s Virtual Convergence Industry Promotion Act (2024) and Korea Copyright Commission guidelines, alongside comparative examination of policies in the United States, European Union, Japan, and China, this research identifies critical gaps in current regulatory frameworks. While Korea enacted the world’s first metaverse-specific promotion law, its copyright protection system remains incomplete. The study proposes a tiered platform liability system, fair remuneration rights for creators, and blockchain-based provenance systems as essential components for sustainable metaverse ecosystem development. The findings suggest that Korea’s position as both a K-content powerhouse and ICT leader provides unique opportunities to establish global standards in metaverse copyright policy, contingent upon achieving refined balance between creator protection and industrial activation.