In a rapidly intensifying debate around esports player welfare, Korean lawmaker calls for action once again after severe cyberbullying targeted T1’s star bot laner Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong, the MVP of the 2025 League of Legends World Championship finals. Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi issued a strong public statement on November 20th, emphasising that the attacks directed at the player were no longer mere criticism but a sustained and organised pattern of harassment.
Jeon stated that the online abuse—largely traced to communities such as the T1 Supporters Gallery—had crossed every acceptable boundary. As Korean lawmaker calls for action, his message demanded an immediate halt to what he described as malicious and long-running behaviour disguised as fan commentary. He firmly rejected attempts to justify the attacks as “tough love,” noting that the consistency and intensity of the harassment indicated far darker intentions.
Push for Platform Accountability
As Korean lawmaker calls for action, Jeon laid out a three-part response framework. First, esports governing bodies such as KeSPA, Riot Games Korea and individual organisations must take definitive steps to protect players who remain vulnerable to targeted online attacks. Second, platform operators—including DC Inside—were urged to implement stronger moderation and self-regulation. Jeon warned that platforms allowing harmful content to spread should not be absolved of responsibility. This moment, he argued, is a turning point where Korean lawmaker calls for action toward shared accountability across the digital ecosystem.
Jeon highlighted that this is not the first time a Korean lawmaker calls for action, pointing to his previous efforts to remove comment sections on sports news and propose legislation aimed at curbing cyber wrecker content. He emphasised that the present safeguards are insufficient, and once again the Korean lawmaker calls for action for enhanced penalties for online defamation and insulting behaviour.
Strengthening Protection for Esports Players
In his closing remarks, Korean lawmaker calls for action aimed at accelerating tougher laws and encouraging broader self-regulation within the esports community. Jeon stressed that every player deserves a safe environment, reiterating that this issue extends well beyond Gumayusi. As discussions around fan culture and digital responsibility continue, the Korean lawmaker calls for action serves as a reminder that esports athletes require the same level of protection as traditional sports professionals.
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