[아이뉴스24 김나리 기자] The Korea Game Society will continue its activities this year to prevent the listing of WHO game disease codes. The plan is to focus on restoring the gaming ecosystem and suggesting policy alternatives related to the gaming industry.
On the 29th, the Korea Game Society held a New Year’s party on the 11th floor of the University Club Seminar Room, Building 102, Chung-Ang University, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, and announced its 2019 operating policy containing the following contents.
Participating in this event were Wi Jeong-hyun, president of the Korea Game Association, Cho Hyun-rae, director of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Gyu-jik Kim, director of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Jae-hong Lee, chairman of the Game Management Committee, and Seong-ik Hwang, president of the Korea Mobile Association.
On the 29th, the Korea Game Society held a New Year’s party on the 11th floor of the University Club Seminar Room, Building 102, Chung-Ang University, Dongjak-gu, Seoul.
At this event, Wi Jeong-hyun, president of the Korea Game Association, said, “This year, the Korea Game Association will actively respond to the attacks of some anti-gaming forces related to game disease codes at the WHO’s general meeting scheduled for May,” and added, “We will cooperate with the National Assembly and the government to block disease codes.” “(tentative name) will be launched,” he said.
Through this, the goal is to unite all forces, including academia, civic groups, and industry, to actively block the disease code for gaming disorder in the WHO International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
Previously, WHO decided to list gaming disorder as a disease code in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) in June last year and decided to formally discuss it at the WHO General Assembly in May.
The Korea Game Society launched the Disease Code Task Force (TF) within the society last year to oppose WHO’s listing of game use disorder disease codes and held a meeting to respond. They also issued a statement opposing the listing of game disease codes.
The president of the above society also said, “We will strive to make a fair evaluation of the social and cultural role of games,” and “To this end, we will make efforts to connect with each region’s game departments and local elementary, middle, and high schools.”
At the industrial level, he said, “We will continue to support efforts to restore the gaming ecosystem and innovate,” and “We will establish analysis and strategies for domestic and international gaming industry and technology trends, and promote indie games and “We will also support game startups,” he explained.
He emphasized that he would provide cooperation and alternatives to the government’s game industry policy. To this end, it is explained that analysis will be carried out on each ministry’s game industry policy. We are also promoting projects domestically and internationally in cooperation with the government.
At the academic level, the plan is to promote various research activities and improve the quantitative and qualitative level of papers. Joint research with industry is also carried out.
The president of the above society emphasized, “We plan to cooperate and exchange with overseas game-related societies and organizations, so we ask for your interest.”
The Korean Game Society also established the Game Artificial Intelligence Division as a new division this year. The purpose is to conduct experimental attempts on artificial intelligence at the department level as the industry lacks the capacity to invest in long-term research and development (R&D).
Hongik University Professor Kang Shin-jin, head of the Game Artificial Intelligence Division, said, “Games are widely used as an AI research platform,” and added, “We will develop applied AI algorithms through the Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee and support the development of AI-based next-generation games.”
Cho Hyun-rae, Director of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, who gave a congratulatory speech on this day, said, “Many of the game-related issues that we have been concerned about in the past have not yet been resolved,” and added, “Please convey the plans of the Korea Game Association to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.”
Lee Jae-hong, Chairman of the Game Commission, said, “Games were born from scratch and have grown into our growth engine and food industry. You may think of the Games Commission as a regulatory body, but the Games Commission will take steps to manage a kind of ecosystem for the growth of the gaming industry.” .
Reporter Nari Kim lord@inews24.com
In Section 2, Dr. Lee mentions the Korea Game Society’s strategies to influence the WHO’s decision. What specific examples of these strategies can you identify from the interview, and how effective do you think they might be?
## Interview: The Future of Gaming in the Face of WHO Classification
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News, where we delve into the pressing issues shaping our world. Today’s topic focuses on the ongoing debate surrounding video game disorder and its potential classification as a disease by the World Health Organization (WHO). We’re joined by two distinguished guests:
* **Dr. Lee Jae-hong, Chairman of the Game Management Committee:** A key figure in shaping South Korea’s gaming landscape, responsible for overseeing the industry’s regulatory framework.
* **Professor Kang Shin-jin, Head of the Game Artificial Intelligence Division, Korean Game Society:** An expert in the intersection of gaming and artificial intelligence, exploring the future potential of this rapidly evolving field.
**Section 1: The Classification Controversy**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Lee, the WHO is set to revisit the classification of gaming disorder in its upcoming general assembly.
What are the Korean Game Society’s primary concerns regarding this potential inclusion, and how do you see it impacting the gaming industry in South Korea and globally?
* **Interviewer:** Professor Kang, from a technological and research perspective, what are the implications of labeling gaming disorder as a disease? Could it hinder innovation and research into the potential benefits of gaming applications?
**Section 2: The Korea Game Society’s Response**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Lee, the Korea Game Society has been actively engaged in opposing the WHO’s classification proposal.
Could you elaborate on the strategies and initiatives the society is taking to influence the WHO’s decision and ensure a balanced representation of the gaming industry’s perspective?
* **Interviewer:** Professor Kang, the establishment of the Game Artificial Intelligence Division within the Korean Game Society is a noteworthy development.
How does this new division aim to address the potential impact of the WHO’s classification on the future of gaming technology and AI development?
**Section 3: The Future of Gaming**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Lee, the Korean Game Society stresses the importance of fostering a healthy gaming ecosystem. What are some specific steps the government and industry can take
to promote responsible gaming practices and support players’ well-being while nurturing the industry’s growth?
* **Interviewer:** Professor Kang, looking ahead, what areas of innovation and development in gaming and artificial intelligence excite you the most?
How do you envision these advancements shaping the future of interactive entertainment and its role in society?
**Conclusion:**
Thank you to Dr. Lee and Professor Kang for sharing their valuable insights.
The debate surrounding gaming disorder and its potential classification remains complex, but continued dialog and collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders are essential to navigating this evolving landscape and ensuring a balanced and informed approach.
We at World Today News will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates on the WHO’s decision and its implications for the global gaming community.
