On March 31, the National Assembly passed a partial amendment to the Esports (Electronic Sports) Promotion Act, spearheaded by Representative Jung Yeon-wook (People Power Party, Busan Suyeong-gu). It is being referred to as the 'Regional Esports Revitalization Act,' designed to reinforce the institutional foundations of local esports ecosystems.

Previously, the existing legislation was vague regarding local government support, leading to constant bottlenecks in the field. Whether officials wanted to nurture local teams, run youth programs, or link esports to career development, they were routinely blocked by the lack of specific legal clauses.

With this amendment, local governments now have clear legal grounds to push forward with a wider array of initiatives. This includes ▲creating better infrastructure for esports facilities, ▲supporting the establishment and operation of esports organizations, ▲founding and managing teams, ▲hosting tournaments, and ▲running educational career programs for students and youths. The policy has expanded from simple facility support to a comprehensive framework covering team development, tournament hosting, and career education.

Rep. Jung remarked, "This bill establishes a foundation where esports can be systematically fostered at the local level," adding that the goal is to create an environment where local governments can cultivate teams and host tournaments, allowing youths to engage with esports as a healthy culture and a viable career path.

He also reflected on Busan's storied history with the scene. "Busan is the city that gave us the iconic moments of South Korean esports, from the 2004 StarCraft Gwangalli Grand Finals to hosting the League of Legends World Championships in 2022 and 2023," he noted, emphasizing his commitment to strengthening the esports industrial ecosystem with Busan as the hub.

The timing is significant as it aligns with an already expanding regional scene. The 'Korea Esports League (KEL),' hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA), began in 2025 with 14 regional teams. It has since scaled up to 19 teams and is set to open its next season on April 18. With this legal backing now in place, local government support for team creation and tournament operations is expected to gain significant momentum.