A widening dispute over a proposal to toughen regulations on online games has emerged as a hot political issue dragging party leaders into a harsh war of words.

The ruling Saenuri Party’s Rep. Shin Yee-jin in April proposed a new law that would define Internet gaming and digital media content as one of the four major sources of addictions, along with alcohol, drugs and gambling, subject to tougher government controls.

The bill sparked angry reactions from the industry, game lovers and liberal-minded citizens. They regard it as a prelude to a series of draconian measures which would also in effect impede one of the nation’s most promising growth engines.

Initially out of public attention, the proposal entered the limelight when party chairman Hwang Woo-yea highlighted the law during his speech to the National Assembly on Oct. 7.

He referred to Internet games as one of the evils from which Korea needs to be saved.

Over the weekend, the dispute entered the political frontlines when Rep. Jun Byung-hun, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, openly criticized the proposal as a “stuffy idea.”

“Yeouido is still dominated by worn out views. (I have) concerns that it could lead to friction between generations,” Jun, who doubles as the chairman of the Korea e-Sports Association, wrote on an online games-community notice board.

“Regulating games and drugs together goes against basic legal principles. No matter how much the Saenuri Party emphasizes the proposal, it cannot pass the National Assembly.”

Shin wasted no time hitting back, and called a press conference on Monday where she accused Jun of insulting millions of Koreans affected by addiction. According to Shin and the other lawmakers who support the proposal, more than 6 percent of the Korean population requires treatment for addiction to games, alcohol, drugs or gambling.

“If this proposal is a stuffy idea, that is calling the millions of people who support it ‘stuffy,’” Shin said. The first-term lawmaker, who was a psychiatrist before entering politics, also accused Jun of inciting friction between the younger and older generations.

While neither the ruling party nor the DP has taken an official stance on the proposal, an increasing number of lawmakers are gathering behind Shin and Jun.

Shin is backed by Hwang, while DP members of the parliamentary Science, ICT, Future Planning, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, including Reps. Choi Min-hee and You Seung-hee, have declared opposition to the proposal.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)