Periodista | 페리오디스타

The city of Busan notified the International Esports Federation (@iesf_official) in October that it will no longer waive its office rent starting in January 2027, prompting calls from board members to relocate its headquarters. According to a report that Kukje Shinmun published on November 8, the IESF moved its headquarters to Busan in 2017. At the time, the city offered a rent exemption as part of a memorandum of understanding to help promote esports. However, a September city audit by the Busan City Audit Committee found that providing free office space at the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency lacked a legal basis, making the transition to paid rent inevitable. After the IESF officially reported the policy change to its 20-member board, several of the 19 foreign members expressed disappointment. The report noted that some members suggested moving the headquarters to Indonesia, Norway, or the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The IESF has made no final relocation decision at this time. Concurrently, Busan officials state they are exploring ways to lower the rent, such as downsizing the office space or revising local ordinances. Photo credit: IESF #Esports #Gaming #EsportsBusiness #IESF #EsportsGovernance #Busan