DistantNews
Support us
🇰🇷 South Korea /Technology

Esports star Faker appointed honorary police officer to combat youth cyber gambling

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • League of Legends star Faker, Lee Sang-hyeok, has been appointed as an honorary police officer and ambassador for preventing cyber gambling among youth.
  • The police aim to leverage Faker's influence to promote a self-reporting system for youth involved in cyber gambling, which runs until August 31.
  • Faker will participate in promotional materials, and signed jerseys will be awarded to young individuals who actively engage in rehabilitation programs.

Professional gamer Lee Sang-hyeok, widely known as 'Faker,' has been appointed as an honorary police officer and ambassador for cyber gambling prevention by the National Police Agency in South Korea. The appointment, which includes the rank of 'Gyeongjang' (equivalent to a police corporal, the same rank as those recruited through cyber investigation competitive hiring), underscores the agency's focus on combating online gambling among young people.

The police agency hopes to harness Faker's immense popularity to encourage more young individuals to utilize the "Youth Cyber Gambling Self-Reporting System." This system, operational from May 18 to August 31, aims to provide a pathway for minors involved in cyber gambling to come forward voluntarily. As of June 16, the system had received 806 self-reports, a significant increase from the 294 reported in the first month of its operation.

I am honored to be appointed as an honorary police officer and ambassador, and I feel a great sense of responsibility because of it. I will actively participate in my role as an ambassador to widely inform young people about the dangers of cyber gambling and the self-reporting system.

— Lee Sang-hyeok (Faker)Faker's statement after being appointed as an honorary police officer and cyber gambling prevention ambassador.

Faker is set to participate in the creation of promotional videos and posters for the self-reporting initiative. The police agency expressed their hope that Faker's involvement will inspire greater participation from young people, encouraging them to seek help and report their involvement in cyber gambling.

During the appointment ceremony, Faker signed one of his jerseys. This signed jersey will be awarded to young individuals who demonstrate commitment to healing programs and successfully overcome gambling addiction, serving as a symbol of encouragement and support for their return to a healthy life. Faker expressed his honor and sense of responsibility, pledging to actively promote the dangers of cyber gambling and the available self-reporting system.

We hope that seeing Faker will give more young people the courage to participate in self-reporting.

— National Police Agency officialA police official's comment on the expected impact of Faker's ambassadorship on youth self-reporting rates.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog