Pokemon Korea lets foreigners play tournament
The Pokemon Korea League competition is underway in Pangtyo on the outskirt of Seoul, Sunday. / Courtesy of Fumiyasu Miura
By Kang Aa-young
Pokemon Korea allowed foreigners to play in last weekend’s competition only after they protested in person but still didn’t offer them privileges given to winners such as the right to represent Korea in world-level competitions.
Foreign players protested the ban by the multinational firm’s Korean office, calling it a “violation” of the head firm’s rules and an act of discrimination.
The competition in question was the 2017-18 Winter Nintendo DS Video Game Tournament on Jan. 28 in Pangyo on the outskirts of Seoul.
"We just wanted to play," said Rachel Stine, an American player.
Kaity Nara, another foreign participant, told The Korea Times the organizers “confirmed foreign players may play if they play even without the potential for prizes or placing in the finals.”
The foreign participants captured video of the difficulties they faced in entering the venue to send to Pokemon International in Japan.
One foreigner decided not to participate because of a bad experience from last year’s Autumn competition on Oct. 7 and 8.
“I didn't bother going to this event after my bad experience last time,” said Andrew Murray, a well-known Pokemon card player who has competed in the USA championship finals 32 times.
“Korea is the only country that excludes these opportunities from people, foreign-born or otherwise, who live in that country.”
The company didn’t respond to The Korea Times’ repeated calls and email inquiries for comments on its future policy.