Lee Sang-hyeok, the professional League of Legends player known as “Faker,” has been appointed an honorary police officer by South Korea’s National Police Agency. He will also serve as an ambassador for a campaign to prevent online gambling among young people.
The announcement was made on the 22nd by the Korean National Police Agency at its office in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. This is the first time an esports player has received this appointment from the agency.
As reported by Seoul Economic Daily, Faker was given the honorary rank of “senior officer,” a title normally associated with career-track recruitment for cyber investigation roles within the police force. According to the agency, the rank was chosen specifically because of Faker’s profile as an athlete with wide recognition both in South Korea and internationally, along with what officials described as a long track record of self-discipline over the course of his career.
As part of the role, Faker will act as an ambassador for cyber gambling prevention and take part in producing promotional videos and posters for the “Youth Cyber Gambling Voluntary Reporting System,” a program the police will run through August that encourages young people to report their own gambling activity.
The police agency said it created this specific appointment for Faker due to his influence among younger audiences, both in Korea and abroad, with the aim of supporting its efforts against cybercrime and gambling.
While Faker is the first esports athlete to be named an honorary police officer, the practice itself is not new. The Korean National Police Agency has for years appointed actors, musicians, and other public figures to similar roles to support public awareness campaigns, community outreach, and crime prevention efforts. Past appointees include singer IU (Lee Ji-eun), actress Lim Ji-yeon, known for her role in The Glory; and actor Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok), known for playing police and detective roles in films including The Outlaws.
The appointment comes a week after the Esports Foundation named Faker a Game Ambassador for both the Esports World Cup and the Esports Nations Cup. In June, TIME included him on its list of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports. And in March, South Korea announced plans to release a commemorative postage stamp featuring the player later this year.
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