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The South Korean government is to abolish the controversial “shutdown law,” lifting the curfew that blocks access to online games by underage users late at night 10 years after the law came into force.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced the decision Wednesday, saying they will scrap the shutdown law out of respect for the rights of youths and encourage education at home.
Underage gamers will be protected from excessive gaming through the existing “choice system.” The choice permit system, introduced in 2012, allows underage gamers or their parents to designate hours for playing games.
According to the Culture Ministry, the utilization rate for the choice system for 40 games by seven game companies ranges from 1 percent to 28 percent.
While gamers had to request a permit for each game in the past, the Game Culture Foundation under the Culture Ministry will now take charge of the entire application process. Youngsters without parents can have legal guardians, teachers or social workers request permits for them.
The abolition of the shutdown law requires the revision of the Youth Protection Act. The government is seeking the passage of a revision bill at the National Assembly by year-end.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced the decision Wednesday, saying they will scrap the shutdown law out of respect for the rights of youths and encourage education at home.
Underage gamers will be protected from excessive gaming through the existing “choice system.” The choice permit system, introduced in 2012, allows underage gamers or their parents to designate hours for playing games.
According to the Culture Ministry, the utilization rate for the choice system for 40 games by seven game companies ranges from 1 percent to 28 percent.
While gamers had to request a permit for each game in the past, the Game Culture Foundation under the Culture Ministry will now take charge of the entire application process. Youngsters without parents can have legal guardians, teachers or social workers request permits for them.
The abolition of the shutdown law requires the revision of the Youth Protection Act. The government is seeking the passage of a revision bill at the National Assembly by year-end.
Korea to ax games curfew
The South Korean government is to abolish the controversial “shutdown law,” lifting the curfew that blocks access to online games by underage users late at night 10 years after the law came into force. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family...
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