The 'Probability Disclosure Act,' which mandates that developers disclose the odds for probability-based items, was implemented in March last year. Despite over a year having passed since its enforcement, 338 domestic and international game companies have failed to comply, with overseas companies—including those from China—accounting for 60% of the total. Consequently, there have been calls for practical measures to ensure compliance from both domestic and international game companies that have not rectified their improper probability disclosures.

During the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's parliamentary audit held on the 23rd, Representative Kim Seung-soo of the People Power Party urged Chairperson Seo Tae-geon of the Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) to take active measures against game companies that do not comply with the mandatory probability disclosure.

According to data provided to Rep. Kim by the GRAC, 338 domestic and international game companies received requests for correction, warnings, or orders for violating probability information display requirements during the 18-month period from March 22 of last year to September 22 of this year. Of these, 203 were overseas companies, accounting for 60% of the total. By nationality, China had 142 companies, followed by Singapore (30), Japan (15), and the United States (9).

There were 2,181 total instances of violations, with a 30 to 70 ratio between domestic and overseas companies. China accounted for the largest share of violations at 47%. This was followed by South Korea with 657 cases, Singapore with 283, and Japan with 48. The most common forms of violation were the failure to display individual probabilities or total odds (1,043 cases), followed by 932 cases of failing to disclose the presence of probability-based items in advertisements.

It was also pointed out that the correction rate for overseas game companies is lower than that of domestic ones. Regarding this, GRAC Chairperson Seo Tae-geon responded, "We take administrative action if they do not display the odds for probability-based items or if they display them falsely, and most are corrected. If they are not corrected until the end, we take measures to block access in Korea. However, the administrative process for such a block takes about three months."

Starting October 23, the 'Domestic Representative System' will be implemented, requiring foreign game companies that meet certain criteria defined by law to appoint a local representative to ensure compliance with domestic law. Rep. Kim emphasized, "There is a significant difference in correction periods between domestic and overseas game companies. When correction orders are not fulfilled, the system must be operated effectively through the designation of a domestic representative."

The effectiveness of the domestic representative system was also questioned by other members. Representative Min Hyung-bae of the Democratic Party of Korea requested additional data before his questioning, specifically asking for the list of overseas game companies required to appoint a domestic representative and the list of those that have received correction orders from the GRAC over the past three years.

Rep. Min stated, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported that about 96 companies need to appoint a domestic representative, but they verbally replied that it is difficult to submit the list because the law had not yet been implemented. The GRAC, which is the subject of today's audit, does not even have concrete information on the 96 companies mentioned by the Ministry. If the domestic representative system does not function properly, protection for game users will remain in a blind spot."