As the Office for Government Policy Coordination nears its final decision on adopting the WHO ICD-11 diagnostic code for gaming disorder, the Korea Game User Association (KGUA) has launched a series of relay protests, urging the public to join their open petition against the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

With the potential adoption of the code likely to be decided this October when the KCD-10 draft is unveiled, KGUA representatives—Director Noh Kyung-hoon, General Manager Choi Hyung-jong, and Deputy General Manager Kim Chul-min—staged a protest in front of the Government Complex Sejong, chanting, "Gaming is not a disease."

The participants condemned the Ministry’s policy, which they view as one-sided. They highlighted several core concerns: ▲the confusion between gaming habits and addiction ▲the failure to reflect the domestic reality of WHO recommendations ▲the potential for social stigma from mental health diagnoses ▲and the threat of industry contraction and job losses. The group expressed grave concern that the government is rushing the process without adequate public hearings or open debate.

The association emphasised that these demonstrations are entirely voluntary and demanded that the Ministry of Health and Welfare ensure procedural transparency and seek social consensus. They warned that implementing a disease code without sufficient scientific backing would not only stigmatise players but also deal a severe blow to the local gaming industry.

Meanwhile, the association is calling for gamers and industry professionals to join their open petition to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. This petition points out that institutions such as the Seongnam Addiction Management Integrated Support Center and the National Center for Mental Health have been treating online games as targets for addiction management simply because the Ministry of Health and Welfare included 'internet games' in their manuals without any clear legal basis.

While the Mental Health Promotion and Welfare Act designates alcohol, narcotics, gambling, and the internet as subjects for addiction management, the Ministry has been arbitrarily interpreting the term 'internet' to include 'internet games' at its own discretion.

Simultaneously, the KGUA's legal policy division filed an information disclosure request regarding the members and discussion records of the public-private consultative body led by the Office for Government Policy Coordination. Upon the Office's refusal to disclose this information, the association filed an administrative appeal.

Lawyer Lee Chul-woo, the head of the association, remarked, "Gaming is a culture and an industry; a rushed adoption of a disease code will cause long-term damage to both users and the industry. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is deliberately labelling games as an addiction risk before a code is even adopted, while the Office for Government Policy Coordination has dragged out the consultative process for over six years, refusing to reveal any details under the guise of 'ongoing discussions'."

Lee added, "Given that the Democratic Party’s special committee on gaming suggested a moratorium on the disease code during the last presidential election, we expect a more forward-thinking decision from the current government."

The association plans to continue its relay protests at the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Statistics Korea, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, alongside its members and the gaming community. They intend to exhaust every possible avenue, including petitions and administrative litigation, to fight this.