South Korea’s Gaming Industry Eyes Policy Shifts Under Lee Jae-myung
SEOUL – May 29, 2024 – The South Korean gaming industry is cautiously optimistic about the potential policy shifts under the new administration of President Lee Jae-myung. The recent election has spurred interest due to Mr.Lee’s proposals, including deregulation and support for e-sports. Industry leaders are especially focused on the contentious issue of the potential “game disease” code, a move that could affect the entire landscape of the gaming sector. As the new government takes shape, the industry anticipates the concrete steps it will be taking.
South Korea’s Gaming Industry Eyes Policy Shifts Under President Lee Jae-myung
The election of Lee Jae-myung as South Korea’s 21st president has sparked considerable interest in potential changes to the nation’s game policy. Throughout his campaign, Mr. Lee articulated various policies aimed at bolstering the game industry. One key area of focus is the contentious issue of classifying game disorders as a domestic disease code, a move the industry has largely resisted.
Game Industry Promotion: A Central Theme
Mr. Lee’s commitment to promoting the game industry was evident through the establishment of a Game Special Commitee within the Democratic Party. This committee proposed nine policies intended to be reflected in national tasks. these policies encompass a range of issues, from the game disease code debate to governance reorganization, support for indie game progress, and the promotion of global expansion.
- Reorganization of governance in the game field
- Expanding support for small and medium-sized indie game production
- Promoting global advancement
The Contentious Game Disease Code
One of the most closely watched policies is the potential introduction of game disease codes. The World Health Association (WHO) classified gaming disorder as a disease in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The game industry fears that adopting this classification in South Korea would stigmatize both the industry and its users by associating gaming with addiction.
Did you know? A study by the Korea Creative Content Agency estimated that the introduction of a domestic game disease code could result in approximately â‚©8.8 trillion (roughly $6.6 billion USD) in damages within two years.
The industry hopes that Mr. Lee will make a political decision to stop domestic game disease code.
He has previously stated that the game should not be seen as a disease.
During an e-sports industry meeting in Gwangju, he remarked:
In the past, the game was regulated by the four major poisoning substances, and Korea was a game of game, and it was now overturned by China.
Lee jae-myung, Gwangju e-sports industry meeting
The Game Special Committee’s proposed policy suggests postponing the introduction of the disease code until an objective basis is established. This involves conducting mid- and long-term research to verify the feasibility of classifying game disorders.Additionally, the policy supports research on non-medical games and alternative immersion models, as well as establishing an online support system for game users to address usage issues.
Deregulation and Autonomy
Mr. Lee has also pledged to improve regulations and guarantee autonomy within the game industry.He promised to abolish preliminary deliberation by establishing a new game-dedicated organization responsible for follow-up functions. This pledge, announced through his official social media, aims to address user complaints about the Game Management Committee’s deliberation system.
Pro Tip: The current deliberation system has been a long-standing point of contention for game developers. Streamlining this process could significantly reduce development timelines and costs.
E-Sports and Industry Ecosystem
The e-sports industry also stands to benefit from Mr. Lee’s policies.He has committed to establishing a mid- to long-term power generation roadmap,supporting the creation of industrial ecosystems,adopting domestic e-sports event international competitions,and establishing a rights protection system for e-sports participants. This commitment, announced within the general sports sector policy, signals a potential shift in perception, promoting e-sports as a legitimate sport rather than just a game.
Broader Deregulation Plans
Mr. Lee has outlined various deregulation plans to support the game industry. These include improving game content rating systems, simplifying online game authentication processes, addressing reverse discrimination against domestic companies compared to overseas entities, and supporting production cost tax deductions. Additional policies include operating a game-only fund, providing sector-specific R&D support, and implementing game recognition education programs.
Industry Expectations and Concerns
While the game industry is optimistic about Mr. Lee’s election, there are concerns about whether his pledges will translate into concrete legislation and execution.One industry official stated:
With the election of candidate lee Jae-myung, the game industry is looking forward to realizing various commitments, including preventing the disease code listing. We hope that the pledges will not be able to actively communicate with the game industry after the launch of the new government so that the pledges are not only a karate mark.
Anonymous Game Industry Official
