Cautious Nominee Questions Gaming Disorder Label as Disease

Choi Hwi-young, the nominee to lead the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressed reservations about classifying gaming disorder as a disease, according to Rep. Kim Seung-soo of the opposition People Power Party on Tuesday.

In a written response submitted to Rep. Kim ahead of his confirmation hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Choi stated, “Gaming is one of Korea’s representative leisure cultures.” He added, “There is not enough scientific evidence to classify gaming disorder as a disease. This issue remains contentious not only among academics, medical professionals, and the gaming industry but also on an international level.”

Choi, the CEO of Nol Universe and a former journalist turned tech platform expert, noted, “I believe we must achieve a broad social consensus before introducing a disease classification code for gaming disorder. Labeling game content—a major export sector—as a disease could significantly harm the gaming industry and its exports.”

In 2019, the World Health Organization designated gaming disorder as a disease and included it in the International Classification of Diseases. In response, the South Korean government established a public-private consultative body under the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss whether to include gaming disorder in the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases. However, the country has yet to reach a consensus.

Amid ongoing divisions between the medical and gaming industries—as well as between the Health and Culture ministries—the government had initially planned to launch a fact-finding study last year. However, this plan was postponed due to sharp disagreements over key issues such as research methodology, the lead agency responsible for the study, specific terminology, and the phrasing of survey questions.

“If confirmed as minister, I will actively coordinate with the relevant ministries on this issue,” Choi added.

Regarding calls within the industry to permit play-to-earn games that utilize blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, Choi stated that such a move is premature.

“I believe we should make a comprehensive decision only after the Financial Services Commission has established a legislative framework to protect users and manage virtual assets,” Choi said. “There are concerns about potential harm to gamers due to the lack of a robust regulatory framework for virtual assets.”

Choi also outlined three key strategies to strengthen the competitiveness of Korea’s gaming industry. These strategies include expanding tax incentives and financial investments to support the development of major intellectual properties, promoting AI-powered tools to make game development accessible to anyone with creative ideas, and supporting entry into new overseas markets to position gaming as a strategic export industry.

The National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee is scheduled to convene at 2 p.m. on Tuesday to discuss items including the adoption of a confirmation hearing plan for Choi’s nomination.