After winning six world championships and getting his own postage stamp, Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok's influence has officially extended into law enforcement in a move that isn’t quite as bizarre as it might sound at first. Life? He’s completed it. South Korea's Korean National Police Agency appointed the T1 mid laner as an Honorary Police Officer and Cyber Gambling Prevention Ambassador on Wednesday during a formal ceremony at its headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The appointment tasks the six-time world champion with helping curb online gambling among young people nationwide.
Faker will appear in promotional videos and posters as part of the role, where he’ll support the National Police Agency's voluntary self-reporting program for youth cyber gambling, while raising awareness about its dangers.
Faker 🇰🇷 has been appointed as an Honorary Police Officer and Ambassador for Youth Cyber Gambling Prevention by the Korean National Police Agency
— Sheep Esports (@Sheep_Esports) July 22, 2026
He will help promote the youth cyber gambling self-reporting program and raise awareness about the dangers of online gambling
via… pic.twitter.com/gSwUCVmEJn
The rank Faker actually received
Faker was given the rank of 경장, which translates to Senior Policeman — the same grade held by officers recruited through competitive examination for cyber investigation roles. It's not a ceremonial token rank but places him on equal footing with professionally trained police personnel in that track.
Faker addressed the appointment directly in a statement released by the National Police Agency. "It is an honor to be appointed as an Honorary Police Officer and public ambassador, and I feel a great sense of responsibility that comes with the role," he said. "I will actively participate in my duties as an ambassador by helping raise awareness of the dangers of cyber gambling among young people and promoting the voluntary self-reporting program."
Adding to an already crowded trophy case
Though he initially achieved fame in the League of Legends competitive scene, Faker’s sphere of influence has long outgrown those roots and he’s very much on the verge of becoming a national treasure in his home country. Just a few months ago, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung awarded Faker the Cheongnyong (Blue Dragon) Medal, the highest sporting honor the government hands out to its people. After becoming the first esports player ever to receive the distinction, he received his own commemorative postage stamp from the South Korean government. Not jealous. Honest.
As a competitor, Faker as a T1 roster member has won six League World Championships since his professional debut in 2013, proving he’s the League of Legends GOAT. He was also the first player inducted into Riot Games' Hall of Legends. Earlier this year, he re-signed with T1 through 2030, signaling he has no plans to walk away from the game anytime soon.
What the role actually involves
Faker's name and face will appear across official campaign materials, and his involvement is tied directly to the National Police Agency's structured self-reporting initiative, which allows young people to voluntarily disclose gambling activity to access support resources.
His platform and profile — young, talented and already a legend in the South Asian esports scene — makes him one of the most effective possible messengers for reaching Korean youth. @dearyhyeokie captured the sentiment felt by many longtime fans on X: "I couldn't be prouder to cheer for someone so deeply inspiring."
Faker, Honorary Police Officer and Cyber Gambling Public Relations Ambassador.
— Keyiiaa⊹˚ ✰✰✰✰✰✰ (@dearyhyeokie) July 22, 2026
I couldn't be prouder to cheer for someone so deeply inspiring 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Elf3AIIgJL
The appointent might seem a little odd to Europeans or Americans but it’s consistent with a broader pattern in South Korean sports culture, where high-profile athletes are regularly enlisted for civic campaigns. Back in December, Faker met the South Korean Prime Minister to chat about gaming and esports, demonstrating how seriously the country is taking these industries.
Writer's take
Faker's appointment isn't just good PR for the National Police Agency. As well as being a practical appointment that makes (some) sense, it shows how highly South Korea views its esports stars as genuine cultural institutions, rather than the niche (if that) celebrities that they are in Western nations. In South Korea, these guys are fast becoming superstars. For the industry at large, having a competitive League player embedded in a government health campaign carries real weight and could be the start of a drive that see’s other governments follow suit — depending, of course, on the level of fame, reach and influence of particular esports players. Not every country has a player held in such high regard as Faker.
Faker is expected to appear in campaign materials as the initiative rolls out. No specific release dates for the promotional videos or posters have been confirmed yet.
