Choi Hwiyeong: "Games Are Culture and Art, Disease Code Introduction Is Unacceptable"

"Games Are as Culturally Significant as Films of the 20th Century"

On July 29, Choi Hwiyeong, the nominee for Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "The introduction of a disease code for gaming is absolutely unacceptable."

Choi Hwiyoung, nominee for Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is delivering opening remarks at the confirmation hearing held on July 29 at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee. 2025.7.29 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Choi made this remark in response to a question from Min Hyungbae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the introduction of a disease code for gaming during the personnel hearing held at the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on the same day.

Choi emphasized, "Games are not a disease, but a form of culture and art," adding, "If the emergence of film at the beginning of the 20th century was the most significant cultural development, I believe that games play that role in the 21st century."

He continued, "Games are a field of integrated art and have the potential to lead the axis of culture and the arts," and added, "I do not think it is at all appropriate to approach or consider games as a disease."

Previously, in his written answers for the personnel hearing, Choi stated, "There is not enough scientific evidence to consider gaming disorder as a disease."

This controversy arose after the World Health Organization (WHO) included 'gaming addiction' as a disease during the 11th International Classification of Diseases meeting in May 2019. To date, no country is known to have implemented this classification.

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