The ruling party was shocked.
The situation was already tense, with dissatisfaction over game regulations running high, especially after the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism MCST) had recently made the blunder of cracking down on non-profit games.
But now, the issue showed signs of escalating into a head-on confrontation between OTK Company and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF).
Jang Hyun-joon, the floor leader of the New Politics Party, urgently convened the party's lawmakers.
"What on earth is Minister Shin Jeon-mi thinking? We haven't even decided on a party line yet."
Assemblyman Hong Hyun-woo said,
"It seems the Blue House wasn't aware either."
"So, you mean she acted unilaterally?"
"Yes. It's reported that even the official notice sent to the entire game industry this time was done without consulting the MCST."
Floor Leader Jang Hyun-joon clicked his tongue.
"Seriously, why send an official notice that isn't even legally binding?"
Sending unnecessary official notices wasn't unique to MOGEF, of course. The problem was that this one happened to provoke Kang Jin-hoo.
In truth, game regulation was a policy stance carried over from the previous administration. The current government was simply intensifying it.
The lawmakers first reviewed the 'Request for Cooperation on Online Game Self-Regulation' sent by MOGEF. They couldn't hide their bewilderment.
"'Prohibition of gender discrimination within games, prohibition of gender role stereotypes for female and male characters, prohibition of sexual objectification of female characters, prohibition of uniform appearances for female characters...' Seriously, what's all this fuss about regulating even the appearance of game characters? Is this the Fifth Republic era? Who drafted this notice?"
Assemblywoman Jang Mi-ja, familiar with MOGEF's internal affairs, replied,
"They reportedly drafted it after consulting with the Gender Equality Promotion Institute, an affiliated organization under MOGEF."
"What does that institute have to do with games?"
"I'm not really sure either..."
Floor Leader Jang Hyun-joon sounded frustrated.
"That game OTK Games is about to release... what was it called again?"
"Lost Fantasy Online."
"Anyway, is Kang Jin-hoo making this fuss because he's worried they'll regulate that game?"
Assemblyman Im Byung-guk spoke up.
"Actually, it's reported that the Vice President, not CEO Kang Jin-hoo, is personally handling this."
"Vice President Oh Taek-gyu? Isn't CEO Park Sang-yeop of K Company responsible for the cultural industry division?"
"CEO Park Sang-yeop handles the entertainment side. The Vice President oversees everything related to subculture, including games. It's known that the decision to invest in OTK Games and establish the OTK Awards were both made by the Vice President."
His electoral district is Pangyo, where many game companies are located, and he has the best understanding of the game industry within the party. He currently serves as a ranking member of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee.
As a first-term lawmaker, he normally wouldn't draw much attention, but things were different now. Since most of the lawmakers knew little about games, all eyes turned to him.
"It seems the real issue isn't the notice, but the Game Addiction Treatment Bill currently tabled in the National Assembly."
Assemblyman Hong Hyun-woo asked,
"What's wrong with treating game addiction?"
"It's labeled a 'treatment' bill, but it's effectively a game regulation bill. After all, the easiest way to 'treat' addiction is often seen as eliminating the 'addictive substance.' But the Korean game industry is in a tough spot right now. Large Chinese game companies are aggressively targeting the Korean market, and Japanese companies, traditionally focused on consoles, are expanding into online and mobile – Lost Fantasy M and Online are prime examples. Korean games are essentially caught in the middle. If Korea unilaterally strengthens regulations in this environment, it will only benefit foreign competitors."
Assemblyman Im Byung-guk explained the industry's plight, but the other lawmakers showed little interest.
"So, what do you expect OTK Company to do?"
"Domestically, the collective influence of the top five game companies is greater than OTK Games alone. Since they've announced plans to form an association and self-regulate, it would be wise to observe how that unfolds."
"And the bill?"
"We must oppose it. It's fundamentally a nonsensical law. Imagine applying these regulations directly to American game companies – would President Ronald just stand by? Considering fairness compared to other cultural industries, this bill absolutely should not pass."
Assemblyman Park Chang-soo cautiously interjected,
"But the bill has strong support from parents' groups."
If the party opposes it officially, they'll face fierce backlash like, 'Will you take responsibility when our children's grades fall?' When comparing votes from the game industry versus votes from parents, the latter group is overwhelmingly larger.
"First, before this blows up further, someone needs to talk Minister Shin down. Isn't there anyone willing to step up and dissuade her?"
At this suggestion, the lawmakers awkwardly cleared their throats and averted their gazes in unison. Frankly, none of them wanted to get entangled in this affair.
***
I watched the Minister of Gender Equality and Family's press conference on TV.
The statement was much stronger than I had anticipated. Minister Shin Jeon-mi made no effort to conceal her anger, both in her expression and tone.
Well, that aside...
"But what does this have to do with 'undermining gender equality'?"
Taek-gyu replied matter-of-factly,
"Didn't you know? Opposing MOGEF policy is undermining gender equality."
"Ah..." So that's how it is?
Just hearing that suggested this would be a tough battle. It's the kind of fight one shouldn't get dragged into. But now that Taek-gyu was determined, I had no choice.
Online, debates for and against were already raging.
Some supported OTK Company, others supported MOGEF. Normally, online debates split along progressive vs. conservative lines, but this time was different.
Regardless of political leaning, netizens generally opposed the game regulations, while parents' groups supported them.
If nothing else, one clear effect emerged: the issue was brought prominently into the public eye.
"Gamers usually don't care much about things outside their games. The Horde's busy fighting the Alliance, and the Alliance is busy fighting the Horde."
Besides, the Shutdown System didn't affect most adult gamers anyway. Some even welcomed it, enjoying fewer minors online after midnight. And if things got too bad, they could always just switch to playing foreign games.
However, with this latest flare-up, game regulation became a major social issue, and the media began churning out articles about it.
Though most focused solely on the negative aspects of gaming.
From a corporate standpoint, fighting a government agency is best avoided, as they wield administrative power.
Still, we couldn't just sit back and take it.
Now that it was clear MOGEF wouldn't budge, we reviewed our available options.
***
From the beginning of her term, MOGEF Minister Shin Jeon-mi clearly recognized her role and responsibilities: to improve women's rights and interests, and to protect adolescents.
Advertisements, music, films, dramas, novels, comics, etc. – there was much harmful content that negatively influenced youth, but among them, games posed the biggest problem.
Trading card games had strong gambling elements in drawing cards, and sports games promoted competition. FPS involved shooting each other dead with guns, and RPGs involved killing opponents with swords or axes. The more opponents killed, the higher the level and the stronger one became.
Game protagonists were mostly male, and female characters were invariably sexy and pretty. Some games even featured numerous young female characters referred to as 'loli'.
There were even games called 'miyeonsi' (dating sims) where players woo multiple female characters!
She had long argued that laws concerning child and adolescent protection (like the Act on Protection of Children and Adolescents against Sexual Exploitation) should be applied more strictly to animation than to live-action films featuring people, and the same applied to games.
Violence, sexual content, gambling elements, addictiveness, gender discrimination, misogyny, etc. Games were, in short, a total mess. Therefore, correcting these games and blocking adolescents' access was absolutely necessary.
It was only natural that the costs for addressing the problems caused by this should be borne by the game industry.
Everything would be resolved once the bill passed, but suddenly, at this juncture, OTK Company stepped forward, gathered game companies, and declared they would create a self-regulation plan.
Furthermore, they met consecutively with the Minister and Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism along with related parties, and contacted members of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee.
This signaled their intent to bypass MOGEF and negotiate separately on the issue of game regulation.
She couldn't just stand by and watch this situation unfold.
While the political sphere seemed to cower as if struck by lightning, Minister Shin Jeon-mi openly criticized OTK Company.
After her statement was released, a meeting of ministers was held. The closed-door meeting was effectively a session aimed at persuading Minister Shin.
Games are part of the cultural industry and the IT industry. They also create jobs and bring in foreign currency.
Therefore, the interests of numerous ministries were intertwined, including the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Even ministries that initially favored regulation shifted their stance to reviewing the industry's self-regulation plan first.
Deputy Prime Minister Han Myeong-guk suggested,
"How about letting MCST handle this issue going forward? I heard the game industry also wishes to resolve the problems through dialogue with MCST."
However, Minister Shin Jeon-mi made it clear she would absolutely not relinquish regulatory authority.
"This falls strictly under MOGEF's jurisdiction. MOGEF will handle it accordingly."
Ultimately, the persuasion attempt failed.
***
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family decided to host a 'Forum on Healthy Use of Internet Games by Youth and Treatment of Game Addiction' at the Government Complex Seoul, presided over by the Minister.
Affiliated organizations like the Youth Protection and Management Institute, the Healthy Family Promotion Institute, and the Gender Equality Promotion Institute were scheduled to attend, along with various groups such as parents' associations, religious organizations, and the National Alliance for Youth Health, for what was billed as a free discussion.
However, judging by the lineup of participants, it was clear that while called a forum, it was more accurately a PR event designed to publicize the dangers of game addiction and the necessity of regulation.
This was evident even from the decision to release the minutes of the meeting, despite the meeting itself being closed to the public. It was bound to conclude with the need to regulate games and collect funds from game companies anyway.
Within the game industry, there was talk about organizing events or forums to highlight the positive aspects of gaming as a countermeasure.
But then, an unexpected news article appeared.
[(Breaking) OTK Company Expresses Intent to Participate in MOGEF Minister-Hosted Forum]
[Will CEO Kang Jin-hoo Attend in Person?]
[Expected to Convey the Game Industry's Position]
[Minister Shin Jeon-mi: Anyone is Welcome to Attend]
[MOGEF Accepts OTK Company's Participation Request. No Further Attendees Allowed Due to Capacity...]
Seeing the articles, I was startled.
"Who said they'd participate?"
Taek-gyu stated boldly.
"Me."
"You're going to the forum yourself?"
"Yup. I signed up for two spots, so you're coming with me."
I was flustered.
"Why me?"
"I'm scared of that ajumma (middle-aged woman/minister)."
"I'm scared too!"
The opponent was the Minister of Gender Equality and Family. Fighting the President seemed like it might be easier.
Regardless, if I let him go alone, there was no telling what he might do. Someone had to go and keep him in check.
Before the forum, I spent several hours receiving indoctrination from Taek-gyu about the righteousness of games. After completing various tests, Taek-gyu patted my shoulder and said,
"My friend. The fate of the Korean game industry now rests upon you. Do not forget. If Korean games fail, it's all your fault."
"...Why is it my fault?"
"That's the kind of resolve you need to bring to the debate. Got it?"
"Got it."
I sighed, wondering what trouble I'd gotten into by having the wrong friend.
***
Game sites like Ruluweb went into an uproar.
- I feel like I'm gonna cry right now ㅜㅜ
- Is Kang Jin-hoo planning to walk into the enemy camp alone?
- Heard the VP is going with him this time.
- What? Really? Is the protagonist finally unleashing his hidden power?
- It's dangerous! Don't go! Logic can't defeat illogic!
- Awesome! Sorry for cursing you out as a speculator all this time. I'm rooting for you this time!
- OTK Company VS MOGEF!
- Wow! This is truly the biggest match of the century!
- The loser should cleanly step down from everything and retire from politics or business.
- This is gonna be epic. Can't they livestream it?
- Minister Shin Jeon-mi, fighting!
- Go! Go and unleash the righteous Game-Bolg [pun on Gáe Bolg] to destroy game regulation!
- Isn't it Gáe Bolg?
- Gungnir has more destructive power than Gáe Bolg.
- Bamboo spears are the best! Everyone is equal before the bamboo spear! One shot for you, one shot for me!
- Everyone! We can't just stand by, can we? Let's go and cheer them on!
- Great idea! Let's show them the power of gamers!
- Useless. We won't make it.
- Even guys who play the same game fight if they're different factions/races. Like they'd unite?
- If unity were possible, MOGEF wouldn't be messing only with games like this.
- It's hard just to leave the house. Gotta use that time to game.
- It's still cold, what if I catch a cold? The fine dust is bad these days. It's too dangerous outside the blanket~
- We'd be lucky if maybe ten people showed up.
Various organizations supporting game regulation planned large-scale rallies in front of the Government Complex Seoul. In contrast, gamers didn't even consider leaving their homes.
However, the day before the forum.
OTK Games Korea and the five major game companies announced an event to distribute limited-edition character costumes for their respective online games. They weren't giving out actual clothes, but rather registration coupons that could be used for in-game character outfits.
Those unfamiliar with gaming scoffed, wondering who would bother showing up for something like that.
But when the day arrived, gamers flocked to the front of the Government Complex Seoul like a cloud. Neither the late spring cold snap nor the fine dust could stop them.