[2022 National Audit] "A Week's Complaints Equal to 10 Years"… Blue Archive's 'Cheongbul' Under Scrutiny at National Audit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The controversy over the game rating classification of Nexon Games' mobile game 'Blue Archive' has come under scrutiny at the National Assembly's audit. Lawmakers repeatedly criticized the Game Rating and Administration Committee's rating classification process as lacking transparency and being inadequate.

Kim Gyuchul, chairman of the Game Rating and Administration Committee, said at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit of agencies under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, "Regarding complaints about rating classifications, in the past week, complaints equivalent to ten years' worth came all at once. Game ratings can be upgraded or downgraded."

This was in response to Lee Sangheon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who pointed out that "users do not accept the entire rating classification process, from review regulations to post-management and supervision systems."

Recently, the Game Rating and Administration Committee demanded that subculture games such as 'Blue Archive,' which was being serviced with a self-classified rating from all ages to 15+, and Netmarble's 'Fate/Grand Order' be upgraded to 'Restricted to Youth' rating. In response, game users strongly opposed this, filing complaints through the National Assembly's public petition system, arguing that the committee made such decisions without any background explanation.

Chairman Kim said, "There are quite a few complaints that 'non-experts are reviewing game ratings,'" adding, "It is true that there are only a few people majoring in game-related fields, but I believe that being an expert in games does not necessarily mean having 20 to 30 years of experience." He added, "We will consider improvement directions together with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism."

Regarding criticisms about the lack of transparency in the review process, he said, "We disclose meeting minutes according to procedures. If that is insufficient, we will consider other measures and report back."

On the same day, concerns were raised that games without rating classifications are being distributed on 'Steam,' a PC game platform serviced by the U.S. company Valve. Steam distributes games without separate regulation by Korean authorities, resulting in reverse discrimination against domestic games subject to age restrictions.

In response, Chairman Kim said, "Steam is a headache," adding, "We have been urging them for years to obtain Korean ratings, but since it is a foreign site with servers overseas, there are limitations." He explained, "However, Steam sometimes removes games if they judge them to be excessive."

Criticism was also raised regarding insufficient measures against illegally distributed Korean online games through private servers abroad and against provocative Chinese game advertisements.

Chairman Kim responded, "Since the servers are overseas, all we can do is notify the Korea Copyright Protection Agency," adding, "For inappropriate foreign game advertisements, we ask telecom companies to block IPs, which amounts to about 500 cases per month. We regularly consult with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, but fundamental solutions are needed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.