The release of Grand Theft Auto VI is approaching, and various details continue to emerge. As it turns out, the new installment in the Rockstar Games franchise could have been denied an official release in South Korea, as local regulators raised questions about its content.
The local rating board was concerned about the number of scenes depicting nudity. Media outlets reported that a series of meetings was held. During the first meeting on September 10, the votes were split evenly at “3 : 3” between the options “Adults Only rating” and “Refuse.”
At the second meeting on October 2, a decision on GTA VI was postponed once again, citing the need to “adequately examine the gameplay” (a playable build was received just a few days before the second meeting).
The subsequent meeting on October 8 was canceled due to a lack of quorum, and at the final third meeting held on October 16, the rating for GTA VI was finally approved — 8 votes in favor of “Adults Only” and only one vote for “Refusal” to grant a rating.
The release of GTA VI in South Korea was jeopardized not because of brutality or scenes of violence. Committee members drew attention to the frequent depiction of male genitalia “in the background without any sexual context.” The committee took the view that the depictions of violence and crime do not differ significantly from GTA V. In 2013, it received an “Adults Only” rating.
Media reports cite the meeting minutes. During the discussion, participant D shared an opinion:
I don’t think the gameplay is significantly different from GTA V. The graphics have improved, and there is more content now. What concerns us is that there is too much display of genitalia. It feels like the publisher is constantly trying to cross the line and push the boundaries of what is acceptable. The question is whether we are willing to agree to this boundary every time a new installment in the series comes out.
Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.