South Korea's Gaming Industry Evolves Into a Global Powerhouse
South Korea has cemented its position as a major force in the global video game industry, ranking fourth worldwide behind the United States, China, and Japan. Between 2019 and 2023, the domestic gaming market grew by 47% to reach 22.96 trillion won, while exports rose 41% to 10.96 trillion won. Gaming accounts for nearly two-thirds of Korea’s content exports, highlighting its critical role in the country's economy.
The esports sector is also thriving, valued at about 257 billion won in 2023. Institutions like the Nongshim Esports Academy, opened in 2018, have nurtured talent by producing 42 professional players. The academy charges 500,000 won for 20 hours of monthly training, with 1–2% of trainees becoming professionals. It is operated by the same conglomerate that sponsors the Nongshim RedForce team, which includes prominent players such as Son Si-woo (Lehends), 27, and Hwang Sung-hoon (Kingen), 25.
South Korea’s gaming infrastructure is robust, with roughly 7,800 PC bangs nationwide and a history rooted in the late 1990s broadband expansion which propelled growth. Iconic StarCraft matches attracted stadium-sized crowds, supported by major sponsors like Samsung, SK Telecom, and KT.
Government policy has shifted notably in recent years. In October 2025, President Lee Jae Myung reversed earlier classifications by affirming that games are not addictive substances, moving away from the 2013 stance that labelled gaming as a major social addiction. The government manages to balance industry growth with player welfare by capping official training hours in contracts and supporting seven state-funded centres dedicated to healing youth overly immersed in gaming.
While gaming is recognized as legitimate work in South Korea, players face short career spans often concluding before age 30 due to mandatory military service obligations that limit their time in professional play. This dynamic underlines the challenges of sustaining longevity in a highly competitive and fast-evolving sector.
