The Ministry of Employment and Labor met with representatives from the game industry to discuss measures to prevent the misuse of lump-sum wage arrangements and to improve work-hour management.
On the 29th, the ministry convened a “Meeting with the Game Industry to Prevent Abuse of Lump-Sum Wages” at the Korea Game Industry Association conference room in Gangnam, Seoul, with association officials and executives from major game companies in attendance.
The meeting was organized to support the on-the-ground implementation of the “Guidelines to Prevent Abuse of Lump-Sum Wages to Eliminate Unpaid Work,” which took effect last April, and to hear the industry’s concerns about using lump-sum wage systems.
Participants included the Korea Game Industry Association, Smilegate, LINE Studio, Q-Road, Clae Games, Anchor Node, NeoGames, and Ian Games.
Vice Minister Kwon Chang-jun explained the intent of the guidance and emphasized that the policy’s central aim is to eliminate so-called “unpaid work” practices—such as paying allowances that do not reflect actual hours worked.
The ministry stressed that transparent recording and management of working hours are prerequisites for fair compensation. It instructed employers to record working hours clearly in wage ledgers and pay statements, and warned that flat-rate systems that do not separate base pay from allowances, or arrangements that pay a single lump sum covering overtime, night, and holiday work, run counter to the law’s intent.
The ministry also reiterated that employers must pay the difference if agreed allowances fall short of the legally required pay for actual hours worked.
To support companies pursuing reforms, the ministry introduced measures such as Workplace Innovation Coexistence Consulting and subsidies for adopting private HR platforms. Officials said these steps aim to reduce costs and administrative burdens for small and medium-sized game firms.
Industry representatives described the project-driven nature of their work and the realities of managing development schedules, sharing the difficulties they face in operating work-hour systems.
The ministry said it will review the feedback raised at the meeting and expand support measures that both employers and workers can accept.
Vice Minister Kwon said, “People are the game industry’s most important asset in a sector driven by innovation and creativity. Work environments that exploit young people’s passion to produce unpaid labor must change.”
He added, “When developers and other workers receive fair compensation and are guaranteed adequate rest, the industry’s competitiveness will be sustained. The government will strengthen tailored consulting and hands-on support beyond regulation and oversight.”
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