Let foreigners sell game items, says watchdog

The state human rights watchdog has advised a local gaming marketplace for trading in-game items, Sunday, to allow foreigners to sell items as well as purchase them.

The recommendation came after an American living in Korea filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) against the trading site for banning foreigners from selling in-game items, although allowing the users to buy them.

The watchdog recommended that the site revise its regulations, calling it a violation of equal rights.

Players buy in-game items for use within a virtual world to improve a character or enhance the playing experience.

The company explained to the NHRCK that its ban on foreigners selling items was part of preventive measures against illegal acts such as illegal foreign exchange transactions or money laundering.

“When foreigners get involved in illegal activities through cash transactions for in-game items, it is not easy to recover financial damages,” the company said.

“In addition, the company is required to submit transaction receipts when trades are made by foreigners, but it is difficult to confirm whether the personal information of foreign users is true.”

In response, the NHRCK said although the company attributed the ban to a precaution against illegal financial activities by foreigners, it was not enough to clearly explain why the regulation was only applied to non-Korean players — a move that it believed violated their human rights.

Also, the government body said that there were no specific steps to confirm whether personal information of local users was true and other marketplaces allowed foreign users to sell their in-game items.

“It is a form of discrimination to treat foreigners unfairly without a reasonable reason, so the company is advised to take actions to allow them to use its service without discrimination,” it concluded.