The GRAC is gearing up for the implementation of mandatory loot box probability disclosure requirements set to begin this March. (Image created with Bing Image Creator)
SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) is gearing up for the implementation of mandatory loot box probability disclosure requirements set to begin this March. However, concerns have been raised about the committee’s capacity to conduct thorough investigations due to its plan to fill the 24-member monitoring team with temporary, non-regular staff instead of permanent employees.
According to the minutes from the GRAC’s Labor-Management Council meeting on November 28, as revealed on January 10, the union expressed opposition to the creation of irregular jobs for the loot box item investigation team.
Kim Kyu-chul, the chairman of the GRAC, along with five other high-ranking officials, attended the meeting where the union’s concerns were discussed. The GRAC acknowledged these concerns but cited external factors as the reason for not being able to hire regular staff, asking for understanding in their decision to hire temporary workers for the successful operation of the project.
Despite repeated discussions in subsequent meetings, the GRAC has maintained its stance. Starting from March 22, under the revised Game Industry Act and its Enforcement Decree, the GRAC is responsible for investigating and analyzing any violations related to the non-disclosure of loot box item probabilities.
In response to the legislation, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) directed the formation of a 24-member ‘Loot Box Item Monitoring Team’ within the GRAC. This team will monitor games for non-disclosure of loot box probabilities and verify any suspected misinformation. In cases requiring further investigation, the GRAC will coordinate with the Fair Trade Commission, and the MCST will issue corrective orders as per the Game Industry Act for any discovered violations.
An industry insider knowledgeable about the situation expressed concerns: “Given the GRAC’s history of controversies in game monitoring and the increasing complexity of loot box revenue models, there’s a high possibility that this initiative might end up being a mere formality.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
