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South Korea's "Shutdown Law" faces legal challenges

NCsoft and others call Korean shutdown law unconstitutional

South Korea's infamous Shutdown Law has had its legality called into question by citizens and game companies. The law prevents players under the age of sixteen from playing games during an allotted six hour block at night. The law was meant to encourage studying during that time.

Two lawsuits have been filed against the law. The first comes from a Korean organization representing parents and children, who say the law undermines parental rights to educate their children. The second lawsuit was filed by online game publishers like NCsoft, Neowiz, and Nexon, who argue the law itself is illegal.

Both lawsuits were filed last fall and arguments are currently being heard. Korea's Ministry of Gender Equality and Family previously called the law the bare minimum for protecting teenagers.

[Via ThisIsGames & Kotaku]

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Mike Williams avatar

Mike Williams

Reviews Editor, USgamer

M.H. Williams is new to the journalism game, but he's been a gamer since the NES first graced American shores. Third-person action-adventure games are his personal poison: Uncharted, Infamous, and Assassin's Creed just to name a few. If you see him around a convention, he's not hard to spot: Black guy, glasses, and a tie.