The First Case Since March 2017... Continued Efforts to Normalize Cultural Content Exchange Between the Two Countries
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that it has continuously requested cooperation to normalize cultural exchanges between Korea and China following the Chinese government's first approval of service for a domestic game company since the conflict with the Korean government over the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.
On the 3rd, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Choi Young-sam stated at a regular briefing, "We confirmed that our mobile game received a new game license (panho) in China on the 2nd, and this issuance is understood to be the first case since the suspension of new game license issuance for Korean games in China in March 2017."
He added that related discussions have been continuously requested during Korea-China summits and foreign ministers' meetings. Spokesperson Choi said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has continuously requested China's interest and cooperation to ensure smooth exchanges in cultural content fields such as games during various important exchanges including communication between cultural authorities of both countries, Korea-China summits, foreign ministers' meetings, and the economic joint committee."
Related discussions also continued at the Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting held on the 26th of last month. Spokesperson Choi explained, "At the Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting on the 26th of last month, our side requested more active cooperation from China to revitalize cooperation in the cultural content sector," adding, "China expressed hope for continued communication between the two countries on this matter."
He further stated, "Our government plans to continue requesting China's cooperation closely communicating with relevant ministries and private organizations so that cultural exchanges and cooperation, including the resumption of game license issuance for us, can be normalized as soon as possible."
Earlier, the National Press and Publication Administration of China issued a foreign game license for Com2uS's "Summoners War: Sky Arena" the day before. The game license (panho) is a permit required to provide game services in China. It is divided into domestic licenses for Chinese companies and foreign licenses for foreign products.
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