Professional gamer Lee Sang-hyuk (right) poses for a photo with Acting Police Commissioner Yoo Jae-sung at the honorary police appointment ceremony held at the National Police Headquarters in Seodaemungu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 22nd. Photo courtesy of the National Police Agency.
Professional gamer Lee Sang-hyuk, known as a living e-sports legend, has been appointed as an honorary police officer and will lead efforts to prevent cyber gambling among youth.
The Korean National Police Agency announced on the 22nd that it has appointed Lee as an honorary police officer and ambassador for cyber gambling prevention at the agency in Seodaemungu, Seoul.
The agency appointed Lee as an honorary police officer with the rank of “senior officer” – the same rank used in the career competitive recruitment for cyber investigations – citing that Lee is an e-sports player with high recognition at home and abroad and has consistently practiced the values of self-government and restraint throughout his long career, serving as a role model for youth.
Lee will act as a cyber gambling prevention ambassador and help create promotional videos and posters for the “Voluntary Youth Gambling Reporting System”, which police will use 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 presented to young people who have overcome gambling addiction by faithfully participating in treatment programs and will serve as an incentive for their healthy return to everyday life.
The Korean National Police Agency implemented the Voluntary Youth Gambling Reporting System from May 18th of this year to 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 the month after the system was introduced to 806 in the second month, which police attributed to increased awareness of and trust in the system.
Youth who self-report receive initial counseling and assessment for gambling problems from school police officers (SPOs) and professional gambling prevention counselors before being connected to treatment programs. Police plan to grant maximum leniency – such as release without charge or request summary judgment – after a review by a reference review committee with outside experts, taking into account the amount of gambling, the degree of remorse and the progress of treatment.
Yoo Jae-sung, acting commissioner-general of the Korea National Police Agency, said, “Regarding cyber gambling among youth, it is important to detect it before the problem worsens and begin counseling and treatment immediately,” adding, “We hope that Faker’s positive influence will instill courage in young people who need help to report it without hesitation.”
Lee said, “I am honored to be appointed as an honorary police officer and ambassador, and I feel a great sense of responsibility,” adding, “I will actively participate in ambassadorial activities such as widespread awareness of the dangers of cyber gambling and the voluntary reporting system among youth.”
Professional gamer Lee Sang-hyuk (center) poses for a photo with Acting Police Commissioner Yoo Jae-sung and other officials of the National Police Agency at the honorary police appointment ceremony held at the National Police Headquarters in Seodaemungu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 22nd.