Keeping GSL running shouldn't be a problem as long as Blizzard keeps their wallet open. The problem is filling it with top talent when you have no semi-pro scene, no up-and-comers and no teamhouse infrastructure.
More than all of that however, is keeping the morale of the Korean pros up. There were already some pretty reliable reports that a bunch of KeSPA Koreans did not practice hard for KeSPA cup because they knew this was coming. Motivation and morale over there is at an all time low and has been steadily declining since the region lock announcement.
What I think a lot of people don't realize is that Korean pros really valued playing in foreign countries. Not for prize money, but to actually get out and see the world and play in front of enthusiastic crowds. It was the #1 priority of every Korean player I've ever negotiated a contract with or tried to sign, way above salary.
Imagine after all that, you get told "we don't want you anymore". Heartbreaking. Now even if there was a reversal of the region lock, most of the Korean scene is teamless and would be reliant on precious few qualifier spots to be able to afford to come to a foreign event in the first place. Foreign teams don't wanna sign them because they can't use their players in events outside of Korea and Korean events are on at horrible times for the majority of the west and get poor viewership.
https://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comments/583t7w/want_to_do_something_for_korean_sc2_help/d8y5loq
Me ha parecido interdasting