In South Korea, there is a current uproar as the ruling party is on the verge of categorizing online gaming as part of the 4 main addictions (along alcohol, drugs and gambling) in the country, which will see heavy restrictions placed on the industry.
This is a far cry from some time back, when the new president spoke publicly about promoting Korea’s online games business overseas as 1 of an outbound cultural campaign to the world. Currently, it seems little can be done to reverse the final decision, which will be made in a few months.
Korea Internet & Digital Entertainment Association (K-IDEA) has covered its website with a banner similar to funeral colors, mourning the death of online gaming in the country. Various gaming companies and developers are also seeking to re-located to nearby Asian countries.
