Total content budget rises to KRW 705.0 billion (+8.2% YoY); R&D sees the biggest increase as KOCCA shifts focus to games, new tech, and global expansion.
The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) announced a major expansion of its support framework for the game industry in 2026, increasing the game-sector budget by KRW 10.1 billion year-on-year.
The policy direction was unveiled at “NEXT K 2026,” held on December 17 at COEX in Seoul, where the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and KOCCA presented next year’s content support strategy. The event merged, for the first time, previously separate briefings for funding programs and the annual content industry wrap-up/outlook seminar—aiming to deliver policy information and market 전망 to companies and creators in one place.
Total Budget Up 8.2%, With Games, R&D, and Overseas Expansion Prioritized
KOCCA said its total 2026 support budget will be KRW 705.0 billion, an 8.2% increase from the previous year. By category, the largest jump comes from R&D funding, which will rise by KRW 45.4 billion. Game-related funding will increase by KRW 10.1 billion, while overseas expansion support will grow by KRW 8.3 billion.
KOCCA framed the game budget expansion as part of a broader push to cultivate games as a future growth engine. The agency plans to pursue a “major transformation” of its support system for games and emerging technologies, while accelerating the adoption of AI in content production environments.
MCST is also backing the technology shift, reportedly allocating a new KRW 7.5 billion budget line to help transition game production environments toward AI.
Policy Pressure Amid Slowing Exports and Rapid Global Change
The budget increase comes as Korea’s game industry faces headwinds such as export slowdown and fast-changing global market conditions. The article notes growing complexity in the international landscape—including recovering console and PC markets, the rise of subscription-based distribution, and tighter regional regulations—prompting concerns that a mobile-first strategy alone may no longer be sufficient.
Industry voices, however, emphasize that the key issue is not only the size of the budget, but how support is delivered. Calls are growing for practical measures that strengthen real competitiveness: improving global production capabilities, building collaboration networks, and enhancing responsiveness to PC and console platforms.
Six Strategic Priorities for 2026
KOCCA outlined six core areas for 2026 implementation:
- R&D
- Broadcast/Video
- Games and New Technologies
- Intellectual Property (IP)
- Industry Infrastructure Building
- Content Exports
To expand exports, KOCCA plans to build a strategic global entry system anchored by 30 overseas hubs, and reiterated the broader goal of achieving KRW 50 trillion in “cultural exports led by K-content.”
In IP, KOCCA aims to discover “super IP” and expand global distribution networks by genre. For ecosystem-building, it plans to widen policy finance support and shift talent development toward an AI-era model.
A KOCCA official said the new budget plan will strengthen technological competitiveness and accelerate K-content’s expansion into global markets.
