Look Sports Media – A Korean politician has stepped into the fray following relentless abuse directed at former T1 League of Legends player Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyung, sparking renewed calls for enhanced esports player protection.
Representative Jeon Yong-gi of the Democratic Party of Korea has issued a public statement urging the Korean eSports Association (KeSPA), Riot Games Korea, and various esports organizations to prioritize the well-being of their players. This intervention comes after Gumayusi, despite his impressive tenure with T1 and three World Championship titles, endured a barrage of harassment from a segment of the team’s fanbase.
Gumayusi recently departed from T1, ending the legendary OFGK era (Oner, Faker, Gumayusi, and Keria). However, his final years were marred by targeted abuse, primarily originating from a forum known as "T1 Gall" or "T1 Support Gallery." While intended as a space for Korean T1 fans, the forum devolved into a platform for malicious slander, relentless comment attacks, stalking, protest trucks bearing insulting messages to T1 headquarters, and even the delivery of funeral wreaths directed at Gumayusi and his family.
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Critics have repeatedly accused T1 of failing to adequately address this abuse, citing the organization’s silence on the matter. This perceived inaction has fueled further outrage and prompted Representative Jeon Yong-gi to take a stand.
In his statement, titled "Stop the cyberbullying of Lee Min-hyung (Gumayusi) immediately," Jeon Yong-gi directly addressed the actions of T1 Gall, expressing "deep regret" and urging them to cease their behavior. He further emphasized the need for esports organizations, platform operators, and the Korean National Assembly to collaborate on establishing robust player protection measures. "This cyberbullying goes beyond just Gumayusi; all esports players deserve protection," he asserted.
The elevation of cyberbullying concerns to the national political stage marks a significant turning point in the fight for better esports player welfare. The statement from Jeon Yong-gi has resonated deeply with the League of Legends community, with many expressing relief that the issue is finally receiving the attention it deserves.
Some fans have lauded Gumayusi’s resilience in the face of such intense harassment, while others have voiced concerns about the potential consequences of unchecked abuse. One Reddit user, "alice-lilly," highlighted the potential for tragedy, noting that "the same harassment Gumayusi received could have caused someone with weak mental to commit suicide."
The situation has also drawn comparisons to the struggles faced by K-pop artists, who have long battled similar issues of pressure, abuse, and problematic treatment. The parallels underscore the urgent need for comprehensive player protection measures across the entertainment and esports industries.
Jeon Yong-gi’s intervention has ignited a crucial conversation about the prevalence of harassment and abuse within esports ecosystems. If Korean politicians heed his recommendations, the country has the potential to establish new benchmarks for esports player protection on a global scale. At a minimum, concrete progress is essential to safeguarding the well-being of esports athletes.
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