The Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) Sports Fairness Committee has fined Gen.G Esports AD carry Park “Ruler“ Jae-hyuk 20 million KRW (approximately $13,000 USD) and ordered him to complete 40 hours of community service.
The penalty stems from a tax dispute that became public in late March, when a Tax Tribunal ruling revealed that Ruler had been found to have improperly structured financial arrangements involving his father between 2018 and 2021. During that period, Ruler listed his father as a manager and claimed related payments as deductible labor expenses. He also held stock under his father’s name. The National Tax Service determined both arrangements were improper and assessed additional income tax and gift tax against the player.
Ruler filed an appeal against the tax assessment in August 2023. The Tax Tribunal dismissed it, citing a lack of evidence that his father had performed a genuine management role and no clear justification for the stock arrangement beyond tax avoidance. The dismissal was made public in March 2026, prompting a wave of fan complaints to KeSPA alleging the player had damaged the reputation of professional esports.
The committee reviewed the case over several weeks, holding multiple meetings that included document reviews and direct interviews with the player. In announcing its decision, KeSPA said Ruler’s conduct fell under Article 33, Paragraph 1, Item 4 of the Esports Fairness Committee Regulations, which covers actions that “severely damage the dignity of an esports professional.”
The committee said it considered several mitigating factors before settling on the penalty. Ruler had paid the full tax amount assessed by authorities, returned all stocks that had been held in trust, and faced no criminal charges in connection with the matter.
KeSPA added that the ruling is meant to reinforce conduct standards as esports grows as a recognised sport. “This decision is intended to clearly affirm the responsibilities and ethical standards required of players and officials as esports becomes an institutionalized sport,” the statement read.
Ruler has seven days from receiving formal notice of the decision to file an appeal with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee’s Sports Fairness Committee.
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