South Korea has officially launched the seventh term of its Gambling Industry Integrated Supervision Committee, with Choi Byung-hwan inaugurated as its 10th chairman, as reported by local media.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok commissioned 11 civilian members, including Choi, on April 21, 2026. The inauguration ceremony for the new chairman was held April 28 at the Government Complex in Gwacheon, marking the start of the committee’s new three-year term.
Choi previously served as Deputy Minister at the Office for Government Policy Coordination, a private member of the Presidential Committee on Regulatory Reform and Secretary for National Affairs at the Presidential Secretariat. Officials cited his broad administrative experience and policy coordination skills as key reasons for his appointment, noting expectations that he will help strengthen integrated oversight of gambling and other specified addictive industries.
In his inaugural address, Choi pledged to establish a comprehensive user protection system to shield citizens from the potential harms associated with gambling. He said the committee would work to ensure the industry’s healthy development while addressing side effects such as addiction and illegal operations.
The committee has been structured to promote balanced policies across multiple areas, including consolidation of the gambling industry, prevention and treatment of gambling addiction and eradication of illegal gambling. To achieve this, it brings together specialists in addiction prevention and recovery, law, information technology and public relations.
New members include professors from Ajou University, Yonsei University and Kyung Hee University, a psychiatrist from Seoul National University Hospital, a representative from the Korea Consumer Agency, a youth educator and legal professionals. Their term runs from April 21, 2026, through April 20, 2029.
The committee includes experts in addiction treatment, law, IT and public policy to support cross-sector coordination
