이스포츠의 제도화를 위한 정책적 연구

초록

This study aims to present policy directions for establishing esports' institutional status as a legitimate sport beyond the gaming industry. While esports has rapidly grown as a new sports culture and industrial sector in the digital age, its low level of institutionalization—characterized by athletes' long working hours, unclear employment contracts, and controversies over game operation fairness—continues to undermine industry credibility. This research analyzed problems in current institutional operations by examining survey data from the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Korea Esports Association (KeSPA). The findings indicate that esports institutionalization requires: first, establishing sports ethics through improved working conditions for players and coaching staff and standardized contract systems; second, developing safety management systems comparable to those under the National Sports Promotion Act and ensuring fairness; and third, activating regional esports stadiums through regional affiliation systems and public-private governance structures. This study holds academic and policy significance by structuring esports institutionalization analysis around three pillars: labor rights, ethics, and public interest, thereby providing foundational data for future legislation and policy development. Esports institutionalization is a process of realizing national sports rights by creating fair and safe sports environments beyond industrial promotion. Through public-private cooperation in establishing institutional foundations, esports can position itself as a new national sport for future generations.

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