South Korean authorities have established a cross-agency framework to address gambling problems among military personnel as access to illegal online gambling through smartphones and digital platforms increases.
The agreement was signed by the Korea Gambling Control Commission (KGC), Ministry of National Defense, Financial Services Commission, Financial Supervisory Service and Korea Gambling Problem Prevention and Treatment Center.
Rather than treating gambling harm among military personnel solely as an individual issue, the initiative will coordinate prevention, early detection and treatment with support for related financial problems.
Under the framework, the KGC will coordinate policy and support systems, while the Ministry of National Defense will focus on preventive education, awareness and identifying gambling problems within the military.
Financial authorities will provide counseling for gambling-related debt and connect affected personnel with support for issues including illegal private lending. The Korea Gambling Problem Prevention and Treatment Center will handle specialist counseling, treatment and recovery services.
The initiative also responds to secondary financial harm associated with gambling. Authorities have identified cases involving illegal private loans and debt collection linked to individuals seeking money to gamble.
A policy forum held alongside the signing examined gambling among military personnel and potential responses. Participants called for a step-by-step system that allows problems to be identified within the military before individuals are referred to professional treatment and, where necessary, financial assistance.
Officials also highlighted the importance of making counseling accessible to service members and maintaining treatment after they leave the military.
The agreement expands on a six-agency youth gambling prevention framework established in May. Authorities intend to connect those measures with the military service stage, extending prevention and recovery support from adolescence into young adulthood.
The agreement was signed on South Korea's 18th Day for the Eradication of Gambling Addiction
