[DigitalToday reporter Ho-jung Lee] The Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) is formally opening a centre dedicated to damage relief related to probabilistic items and moving to protect users' rights and interests.

On Thursday, GRAC said it held an opening ceremony for the "Probabilistic Item Damage Relief Center" on the first floor of the Busan Cinema Center, with about 50 people attending including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the city of Busan, related institutions, heads of related associations and groups, and other officials.

The ceremony consisted of a report on the establishment process, an unveiling and an on-site tour. The centre is a specialist body newly set up within GRAC, a professional organisation for post-management of game products. Counsellors with a high level of understanding of games and probabilistic items, specialist monitoring staff and specialist lawyers will participate to provide tailored services. To this end, GRAC has assigned about 20 dedicated staff and plans to strengthen expertise through ongoing training.

GRAC carried out an organisational reshuffle effective on Feb. 1 for the centre's full-scale operation. It established a "User Protection Headquarters" to take charge of damage to game users caused by probabilistic items and provide one-stop support.

Within the headquarters, it set up a Damage Counselling Team to provide counselling and take reports of damage related to probabilistic items, a Damage Investigation Team to investigate damage and determine the facts, and a Damage Support Team in charge of follow-up support, institutional research, prevention and education activities. It has established a system that runs from damage counselling to relief and follow-up support.

GRAC Chairman Tae-geon Seo (서태건) said he hopes the "Probabilistic Item Damage Relief Center" launched on Thursday will become a trustworthy friend for users and a channel that connects game companies with users, as South Korea's game ecosystem works toward a more transparent and fair system. He also said he hopes the small step will become a huge leap that raises the stature of South Korea's game culture by one level.

GRAC also plans to push ahead this year without disruption with key tasks including operating the Probabilistic Item Damage Relief Center, eradicating four major illegal acts including illegal private servers, and expanding the transfer of ratings classification to the private sector, with the aim of contributing to a healthy game-use culture.