President Lee Meets with Gaming Industry on October 15
"Games Were Once Classified as Drugs... Fell Behind China"
Industry Proposes Flexible Working Hours and Tax Credits
President Lee Jae-myung is holding related merchandise and posing for a commemorative photo 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
On October 15, President Lee Jae-myung became the first sitting president to attend a meeting with the gaming industry. President Lee expressed his regret, saying, "In the past, the government classified games as one of the four major addictions alongside drugs, not only failing to support the industry but also suppressing it, which ultimately led to China surpassing us." He then discussed labor flexibility and tax credits with industry representatives.
Attending the K-Game on-site meeting held at "PUBG Seongsu" in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, under the theme "Leveling Up to Become the World's Third-Largest Gaming Power," President Lee mentioned his interest in the gaming industry during his tenure as mayor of Seongnam. He stated, "The gaming industry, in the long run, is an early form of the cultural industry, but it has faced significant challenges due to misaligned government policies."
PUBG Seongsu is a multi-cultural space operated by Krafton, and this marks the first time a sitting president has met directly with the gaming industry at such a venue.
President Lee said, "While it is gratifying for gaming companies to see increased sales and a significant rise in operating profits, my concern is whether young employees involved in research and development and other areas are able to enjoy the same benefits and opportunities." He promised, "We will ensure, through institutional measures, that at the very least, the basic human rights of these young employees are protected, and that they are not treated as expendable resources or discarded in the worst-case scenario."
President Lee also emphasized the need to revise the regulatory framework that has hindered the growth of the gaming industry, such as restrictions on excessive immersion. He said, "Webtoons are now a major industry, and few people worry about reading comics anymore. Because games are fun, high levels of immersion are inevitable. We should address the side effects as they arise, but also turn them into opportunities."
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
After President Lee's opening remarks, the meeting continued behind closed doors, during which industry representatives reportedly proposed labor hour flexibility and tax credits. Kang Yoojeong, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, stated, "The gaming industry stressed the need for periods of intensive work," adding, "President Lee responded by saying he would listen to suggestions on what can realistically be done before any legal or institutional changes, and the discussion proceeded in that manner."
Regarding tax credits, President Lee said, "It is something that needs to be considered, but as it is a very sensitive issue, it requires in-depth discussion," according to spokesperson Kang.
At the end of the meeting, the controversial issue of "probability-based items" in games was also raised. President Lee asked how these items have been improved and what efforts the industry has made. He pointed out, "Addressing this issue is essential for the growth of the gaming industry as a legitimate sector."
The meeting was attended by key industry figures, including Jeong Wook, CEO of Nexon; Kim Changhan, CEO of Krafton; Bang Junhyuk, Chairman of Netmarble; Kim Taekjin, CEO of NCSoft; Seong Junho, CEO of Smilegate; and Bae Taekeun, CEO of Neowiz. Also present were the heads of youth indie game companies, professional gamer No Taeyoung of "E&," and students from the Game Talent Institute. From the Presidential Office, Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik and Policy Chief Kim Yongbeom attended, and from the government, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Huieong was present.
President Lee Jae-myung is experiencing the AI-based life simulation game "Enjoy" at "PUBG Seongsu," a game and culture platform of domestic game company Krafton located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the 15th. From the left in the back are Kim Hyung-jun, CEO of Enjoy Studio; Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President; and Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Before the meeting, President Lee visited the "Play Arena," a separate experience zone within PUBG Studio, where he personally tried out "Enjoy," an artificial intelligence (AI)-based life simulation game. President Lee designated this week as K-Culture Week and called for accelerated innovation in areas such as finance, taxation, and regulation to strengthen the foundation for cultural content. At the senior aides' meeting on October 13, he stated, "A comprehensive strategy encompassing the entire cultural ecosystem is needed to firmly establish the achievements of K-Culture," adding, "I hope that related policies will be carefully designed with the mindset that the future of Korea depends on realizing a nation of creative cultural innovation."
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