First On-Site Meeting with the K-Game Industry
Addressing Side Effects and Turning Them into Opportunities
President Lee Jae-myung is experiencing the AI-based life simulation game "Enjoy" at PUBG Seongsu, a game and cultural platform of domestic game company Krafton, located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the 15th. Next to him is Kim Hyungjun, CEO of Enjoy Studio. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On the 15th, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "The previous administration classified games as one of the four major addictions alongside drugs, and instead of supporting the industry, they suppressed it, which ultimately allowed China to overtake us." He continued, "Going forward, since the potential of the gaming industry is limitless, I will foster it as a strong industry where not just a few monopolize it, but many people can share opportunities and benefits together."
On this day, President Lee attended the K-Game on-site meeting held at PUBG Seongsu under the theme "Leveling Up to Become the World’s Third Largest Gaming Power." He recalled his interest in the gaming industry during his time as mayor of Seongnam and remarked, "In the long run, the gaming industry is the initial form of the cultural industry, but it has faced many difficulties due to being out of sync with government policies." PUBG Seongsu is a multi-cultural space operated by Krafton, and this marks the first time a sitting president has held a direct meeting with the gaming industry on site.
President Lee also stressed the need to change the regulatory framework that has hindered the development of the gaming industry in the past, such as regulations on excessive immersion. He said, "Webtoons are now a major industry, and hardly anyone worries about people reading comics anymore. Since games are fun, it is natural for people to become deeply immersed. We should address the side effects as they arise, but also turn them into opportunities."
He also pledged to provide policy support for job creation for young people in the gaming industry, ensuring that young employees can equally enjoy the benefits of growth. This is interpreted as his intention to resolve institutional conflicts surrounding working hours and working conditions of game company employees.
President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the K-Game on-site meeting held at PUBG Seongsu, a game and culture platform of domestic game company Krafton, located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee said, "From the perspective of game companies, it is gratifying to see sales and operating profits rise significantly, but the real question is whether the young employees participating in research and development can also enjoy those benefits and opportunities." He promised, "We will ensure through institutional measures that the minimum human rights of employed young people are protected and that the worst cases, such as being treated as expendable or discarded, never occur."
The meeting was attended by key figures in the gaming industry, including Jung Wook, CEO of Nexon; Kim Changhan, CEO of Krafton; Bang Junhyuk, Chairman of Netmarble; Kim Taekjin, CEO of NCSoft; Sung Junho, CEO of Smilegate; and Bae Taegun, CEO of Neowiz. Also present were young indie game company leaders, professional gamer Noh Taeyoung from "END," and students from the Game Talent Institute. From the presidential office, Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik and Policy Chief Kim Yongbeom attended, while Minister Choi Hwiyeong of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was present from the government.
Before the meeting, President Lee visited a special experience space called "Play Arena" inside PUBG Studio, where he tried out "Enjoy," an artificial intelligence (AI)-based life simulation game. President Lee designated this week as K-Culture Week and urged for accelerated innovation in financial, tax, and regulatory aspects necessary to expand the foundation of cultural content. At the senior aides' meeting on the 13th, he stated, "In order to firmly establish the achievements of K-Culture, a comprehensive strategy encompassing the entire cultural ecosystem is needed," and added, "I hope policies will be carefully designed with the mindset that Korea’s future depends on becoming a creative cultural innovation powerhouse."
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