Korean lawmakers push to host Olympic Esports Games

South Korea has moved into the spotlight as a possible host of the Olympic Esports Games (OEGs) following the collapse of partnership negotiations between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia.

Originally reported in local media, the development was discussed during a parliamentary forum held in Seoul on December 22nd, where lawmakers, sports officials, academics and industry representatives debated whether South Korea should pursue hosting the inaugural edition of the Olympic Esports Games.

The forum, titled Forum on Hosting the Olympic Esports Games in Korea, was co-hosted by People Power Party lawmakers Koh Dong-jin and Jin Jong-oh, alongside the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) and the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA).

It took place at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building and focused on both the strategic value and potential risks of hosting the Games.

Opening the forum, Koh highlighted the connection between the games industry and advanced technologies, arguing that esports should be viewed as part of a broader industrial ecosystem rather than simple entertainment. Referring to the evolution of graphics hardware and artificial intelligence, Koh said that hosting the Olympic Esports Games could generate long-term industrial benefits if Korea leveraged its existing hardware, software and player expertise.

Jin, a former Olympic gold medallist, framed the discussion in geopolitical terms. He noted that South Korea’s esports sector faces growing pressure from China’s influence over technical standards and Saudi Arabia’s financial strength. Jin argued that engagement with the IOC was partly driven by the organisation’s need to attract younger audiences, adding that Korea should actively use its international networks to strengthen any future bid.

From an organisational perspective, Kim Cheol-hak, Secretary General of KeSPA, suggested that South Korea should aim to become the first host of the Olympic Esports Games to reinforce its image as the ‘birthplace of esports.’

However, he warned that hosting a single edition could limit long-term impact.

Kim proposed a model of hosting two or three consecutive editions to establish a standardised operational framework that could later be exported globally. He also suggested showcasing Korean-developed titles, such as PUBG: Battlegrounds and FC Online, as demonstration events, alongside exhibition spaces for domestic game publishers.

According to Jin, persuading the IOC would require presenting esports as an integrated cultural model combining media, content and fandom, rather than relying solely on Korea’s past achievements in the scene.

Industry representatives expressed more sceptical views. Oh Ji-hwan, CEO of Nongshim RedForce, questioned whether the Olympic brand still carries significant appeal among core esports fans. He criticised the IOC’s focus on ‘virtual sports’ — digitised versions of traditional sports — suggesting this approach diverges from audience interest in established competitive titles such as League of Legends and VALORANT.

Oh pointed to Saudi Arabia’s Esports World Cup as an example of how independent events can succeed without Olympic involvement, arguing that Korea might achieve better returns by developing its own international esports properties.

Meanwhile, Kim Woo-jin, Senior Team Leader at KRAFTON’s esports division, stressed that hosting would only be viable if Korean-developed games were included as official events. He noted that Japan and China actively promote domestically linked titles through international competitions, calling for coordinated diplomatic support if Korea proceeds with a bid.

While the forum underlined the strategic potential of hosting the Olympic Esports Games, it also made clear that significant structural, financial and cultural hurdles would need to be addressed before South Korea could move forward with a formal bid.