Pro gamer “Faker” Lee Sang-hyeok (right) poses for a photo with Acting Police Commissioner Yoo Jae-sung at an honorary police appointment ceremony held at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 22nd. Photo courtesy of the National Police Agency
Professional gamer ‘Faker’ Lee Sang-hyeok, hailed as a living legend of e-sports, has been appointed an honorary police officer and will lead activities to prevent cyber gambling among young people.
The Korean National Police Agency said on the 22nd that it appointed Lee as an honorary police officer and an ambassador for cyber gambling prevention at the agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.
The agency appointed Lee as an honorary police officer with the rank of “senior officer” — the same rank used in career-based competitive recruitment for cyber investigation — citing that Lee is an e-sports player with high recognition at home and abroad and has consistently practiced the values of self-management and restraint throughout his long career, serving as a role model for young people.
Lee will serve as an ambassador for cyber gambling prevention and participate in producing promotional videos and posters for the “Youth Cyber Gambling Voluntary Reporting System,” which the police will operate until August, to encourage young people to report themselves.
At the appointment ceremony that day, Lee also personally autographed his uniform. The signed uniform will be delivered to young people who have overcome gambling addiction by faithfully participating in treatment programs, serving as encouragement for their healthy return to daily life.
The Korean National Police Agency has been operating the Youth Cyber Gambling Voluntary Reporting System from May 18 this year until the 31st of next month. As of the 16th of this month, a total of 806 voluntary reports had been received. The number of reports rose from 294 one month after the system was implemented to 806 in the second month, which the police attribute to increased awareness of and trust in the system.
Young people who report themselves undergo initial counseling and a gambling addiction assessment by School Police Officers (SPO) and counselors from professional gambling prevention institutions before being connected to treatment programs. The police plan to grant maximum leniency — such as release without charge or a request for summary judgment — after review by a guidance screening committee involving external experts, taking into comprehensive account the gambling amount, degree of remorse, and treatment progress.
Yoo Jae-sung, acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, said, “For youth cyber gambling, it is important to detect it before the problem deepens and to promptly begin counseling and treatment,” adding, “We hope Faker’s positive influence will instill the courage in young people who need help to report without hesitation.”
Lee said, “I feel honored to be appointed an honorary police officer and ambassador, and I feel a great sense of responsibility,” adding, “I will actively participate in ambassador activities, such as widely publicizing the dangers of cyber gambling and the voluntary reporting system to young people.”
Pro gamer “Faker” Lee Sang-hyeok (center) poses for a photo with Acting Police Commissioner Yoo Jae-sung and other National Police Agency officials at an honorary police appointment ceremony held at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 22nd.
