Policy Proposal Meeting Ahead of the Election
"We Will Strive to Reflect These in National Policy Agendas"
The Democratic Party of Korea's Special Committee on Games has proposed the establishment of a dedicated government agency for the gaming sector and tax credits for game content production costs to the incoming administration ahead of the presidential election. There were also calls for country-specific support measures to improve perceptions of games and to help game companies expand globally.
On May 27, the Special Committee on Games held a press briefing at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, and announced a set of policy proposals developed through communication and feedback from the gaming industry since the committee's launch in March.
Hwang Heedoo, co-chair of the committee, stated, "Although these are not official pledges of the Democratic Party, we will focus on the committee's announced measures to promote the development of the gaming sector," adding, "We will work to have these reflected in future national policy agendas."
The first policy proposal is to defer the introduction of a 'game disease code.' The committee's position is that the classification of gaming as a disease should be put on hold until objective evidence is secured, and that mid- to long-term research should be conducted to verify its validity.
The committee also suggested reorganizing the current system, in which the Korea Creative Content Agency and the Game Rating and Administration Committee are responsible for game promotion and regulation, respectively, and establishing a dedicated agency for the gaming sector. They noted the need to consider either creating a new institute for the promotion of the game and e-sports industry or establishing separate organizations for each function.
Committee member Cho Seungrae said, "There is a consensus that the new administration should reform governance to match the new era," and added, "The challenge is to coordinate various opinions and establish a governance structure that contributes to the development of the gaming ecosystem."
Various institutional improvements to promote the gaming industry were also discussed. A key proposal is to include games as eligible for tax credits on content production costs, similar to the tax credits introduced for video content production in 2017. Cho emphasized, "Just as tax credits are provided for strategic industries such as semiconductors, displays, and AI research and development, if the content industry is to be fostered as a strategic industry, appropriate support systems should be implemented."
He continued, "Since candidate Lee Jaemyung has expressed his vision to elevate the content industry as one of Korea's strategic industries to be supported and developed, the new administration should consider this issue."
In addition, Hwang stated, "To promote the global expansion of game companies, we will strengthen customized support by country and stage, and also seek solutions to the issue of excessive platform fees."
The committee also reached a consensus on the need to improve public perception of the gaming industry, such as including games in the list of cultural expenses eligible for income tax deductions, and to spread a culture of enjoying and appreciating games.
Other policy proposals included: protecting user rights by preventing excessive gambling elements in probability-based items; abolishing the game time selection system; fostering talent in various sectors of the gaming industry; implementing education to improve perceptions of gaming; and advancing a systematic archiving project for Korean games.
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