Key information
The South Korean National Assembly passed an amendment to the Game Industry Promotion Act on the 1st of last month, significantly strengthening user protection responsibilities for overseas game companies providing services domestically.
Under the new legal framework, failing to appoint a domestic agent or refusing to comply with corrective orders regarding random item information display obligations can lead to information network usage suspension or service restrictions, replacing previous minor fines.
The legislation introduces stricter qualification criteria for domestic agents to prevent superficial designations, requiring entities such as domestic corporations established by overseas headquarters or those capable of properly fulfilling agent duties. Additionally, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Game Rating and Administration Committee gained investigation powers to request relevant materials.
This revision addresses shortcomings in the current domestic agent system enforced since October 23 of last year, which targets mobile game publishers with yearly revenue of 1 trillion won or daily average downloads of 1000. The approved bill will take effect following a six-month grace period after promulgation.
