Choi Hwiyoung: "Social Consensus on Tax Credits for Game Production Costs Is Important"

"We're Also in Talks on Flexibility in the 52-Hour Workweek System"
6 Billion Won Newly Allocated for Global Frontier Project
"Consulting on AX Funding During National Assembly Deliberations"

With the government’s tax law revision bill excluding a tax credit for game production costs, efforts to build social consensus for introducing the policy are expected to gain momentum from early 2027.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwiyoung chairs the third meeting of the Games Subcommittee of the Cultural and Arts Policy Advisory Committee at the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 20th. Provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

At the third meeting of the Game Subcommittee of the Cultural and Arts Policy Advisory Committee, held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul on October 20, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young said, "In the case of tax credits, it seems important to bring the issue into the public debate and build a favorable social climate," adding, "From early 2027, we should explain why the game industry urgently needs this policy and build public support." Regarding flexibility in the 52-hour workweek system, he said, "We are continuing to communicate with the Ministry of Employment and Labor."

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism outlined the government's proposed 2027 budget for the game sector. It has newly allocated 6 billion won to the Global Frontier Production Support Project to identify the next generation of K-games. Moving away from one-off support focused on small and midsize games, the project will select two promising games and invest 3 billion won in each annually. Each game can receive up to 6 billion won in production-cost support over a maximum of two years.

The budget to strengthen the foundations for creating indie games, the roots of the game industry, will increase by 4.5 billion won, from 9.3 billion won this year to 13.8 billion won in 2027. The number of eligible recipients will also rise from 130 to 200. Taking into account increased demand since auditions were introduced, the ministry plans to improve the program by expanding opportunities for support in 2027.

The number of small and midsize game companies eligible for support with office space will increase from 50 to 70. To this end, the budget for the Global Game Hub Center will be expanded from 4.1 billion won this year to 6.4 billion won in 2027. The budget for the youth internship program, which supports future talent seeking to enter the game industry, will also increase from 1 billion won to 6.6 billion won. The ministry expects the number of internship placements to surge to 500 in 2027, up from just 40 this year.

To promote the industry, the government plans to allocate 10.7 billion won to export-focused vouchers for games (Game Plus) and support for overseas expansion, and invest 9.3 billion won in revitalizing the esports industry. Minister Choi said, "Businesses in the cultural and arts content sector want funding related to artificial intelligence transformation (AX), but it has not been adequately reflected," adding, "We are consulting with others to ensure it is properly reflected during deliberations in the National Assembly."

A new budget of 1.6 billion won has been allocated to introduce an automated system for blocking illegal game content. Minister Choi emphasized, "Businesses in the cultural and arts content sector want funding related to artificial intelligence transformation (AX), but it has not been adequately reflected, so we are consulting with others to ensure it is properly reflected during deliberations in the National Assembly." He added, "The proposed government budget for 2027 includes support needed on the ground, from game development to young talent, and we will continue to strengthen the foundations for growth in the game industry."

He also announced a visit to G-Star 2026 next month. "At the Tokyo Game Show in September, I felt proud to see our games on display and visitors enjoying them," he said. "I couldn't attend G-Star last year because of National Assembly commitments, but I will make sure to go and see it this year."

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