Game Industry Associations Welcome President Lee's Statement: "Games Are Not Addictive Substances"

Joint Statement by Game Industry and Mobile Game Associations
"An End to Unproductive Debates... A Turning Point for Changing Perceptions"

Domestic game industry-related associations have expressed their gratitude for President Lee Jae-myung's statement that "games are not addictive substances."

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the "K-Game On-Site Meeting" held on the 15th in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. Photo by Presidential Office Press Photographers Group

In a joint statement released on the 20th, the Korea Association of Game Industry, Korea Mobile Game Association, Korea Artificial Intelligence Game Association, Korea Game Users Association, Korea e-Sports Association, Korea Game Developers Association, Korea Indie Game Association, Game Culture Foundation, and Game Talent Foundation said, "The President's remarks were met with applause and cheers from those present."

Previously, during his opening remarks at the "K-Game On-Site Meeting" held in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on the 15th, President Lee stated, "Games are not addictive substances." He added, "It seems that we have faced many difficulties due to being out of step with previous government policies. By classifying games as one of the four major addictions alongside drugs and implementing repressive policies instead of providing support, we ended up being overtaken by China."

The game industry associations said, "The prolonged debate over the domestic adoption of the World Health Organization (WHO)'s disease code for gaming disorder has created anxiety and many challenges, as it threatened to undermine the very foundation of game culture and the industry." "In this context, the President's statement marks an end to these unproductive debates and serves as a crucial turning point in shifting perceptions to recognize games as a core part of our society's cultural industry."

They also noted the significance of President Lee's remarks that consideration should be given not only to the game industry, but also to young people involved in game development and users who consume games, saying, "It was especially meaningful because it reflected a healthy and balanced perspective, not viewing games solely from the standpoint of industrial promotion."

They added, "Just as the President's analogy that 'you should not get rid of a jar just because there is a problem with it,' we will do our utmost to wisely address both internal and external challenges facing the game industry, without avoiding them."