Ministry of Gender Equality and Family "Supporting National Assembly Discussion on Shutdown System... Preparing Protection Measures Against Over-Immersion"

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Holds Self-Regulation Reform Committee Meeting to Discuss Shutdown System Improvement
Joint Measures by Related Ministries for 'Youth Game Over-Immersion Prevention and Protection' Established

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) has decided to actively support the National Assembly's discussions on the revision of the Shutdown System and to establish measures to prevent and protect youth from game overindulgence.

On the 30th, MOGEF held its own Regulatory Reform Committee meeting to discuss improvements to the Shutdown System, a Regulatory Challenge task, and measures to protect youth from game overindulgence. The meeting was attended by Vice Minister Kim Kyung-sun, representatives from the Game Industry Association, Lee Hyun-sook, CEO of Tacteen Tomorrow, Professor Yoo Hong-sik of Chung-Ang University, and officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

MOGEF decided to actively support the National Assembly's discussions on bills currently proposed, including the abolition of the Shutdown System and the parent-choice system.

Previously, Rep. Kwon In-sook of the Democratic Party of Korea proposed an amendment to the Youth Protection Act that would abolish the Shutdown System and allow youth and their guardians to autonomously control gaming through counseling and education services. Rep. Heo Eun-ah of the People Power Party proposed an amendment to change the term "internet game addiction" to "overindulgence" and to abolish the curfew restriction on gaming hours. Rep. Kang Hoon-sik proposed the so-called "parent-choice system," which excludes the application of the Shutdown System to youth under 16 if requested by guardians.

MOGEF also decided to create "Youth Game Overindulgence Prevention and Protection Measures" jointly with related ministries such as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This reflects the opinion expressed at the meeting that, along with improving the Shutdown System, youth protection measures are necessary.

There was an opinion that the effectiveness of the "game time selection system," which allows youth and parents to autonomously regulate gaming hours, should be enhanced and that the provision of game information to parents should be strengthened. It was also suggested that education for parents, teachers, and youth should be expanded to promote healthy gaming habits among youth, and that the industry's social responsibility should be reinforced.

The Shutdown System restricts internet game access for youth under 16 from midnight to 6 a.m. The controversy over the Shutdown System began when Microsoft, the operator of "Minecraft," a game popular among teenagers, decided to apply the Shutdown System to users under 16 during account integration. Since its introduction in 2011, the system has faced multiple abolition debates, and in 2014, the Constitutional Court ruled it constitutional, maintaining it to this day.