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Today (August 27) at 8:00 am I will delve into the controversy surrounding the World Health Organization's decision that game addiction is a disease. Like alcohol addiction, the government decided that it should now be addicted to the game as a new disease and the Ministry of Health and Welfare would follow it right now. Also, there are differences in the voice between parents who raise their children and people who like games. So, when is this going to take effect?

First, I am Nam Joo-hyun.

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WHO's decision to classify game addiction as a disease will come into effect in January 2022, three years later.

This does not apply directly to our country.

The national standard disease classification system should be revised, but it is expected to be possible by 2025 because it changes into a five-year cycle.

Right now there is no change in game use and treatment.

Now, if you are given a disease code, you will be treated as "game addiction." You will be able to calculate your prevalence and medical expenses.

However, the process of giving disease codes to game addiction is unlikely to be smooth.

There is a growing assertion that the game is a pure game centered around young people enjoying the game,

[Kyung Jae Yeon / Seoul Yangcheon-gu: I think it's a problem to communicate with people and solve the stress by playing games.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which is responsible for the game industry, has decided to object to the WHO.

[Ministry of Health / WHO Consultation TF Korea Commissioner: It seems that there is no precedent for rejecting or opposing the WHO decision because there is no institutional or political meaning as well as a common disease classification system in the world.]

However, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said that the scientific basis for the WHO decision was insufficient, and that it would not participate in the consultative body to be formed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

(Image editing: Jongmy Kim, VJ: Shin So Young)