Faker Named Honorary Police Officer To Help Prevent Youth Cyber Gambling

Barely back in South Korea after competing at the Esports World Cup in Paris, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok is already making headlines once again. On Wednesday, July 22, the T1 star mid laner was named an Honorary Police Officer during a ceremony held at the Korean National Police Agency headquarters in Seoul.

Faker will also serve as a promotional ambassador for the police’s campaign to combat cyber gambling, helping raise awareness among young people about the dangers of illegal online betting.

At 30 years old, Faker is not only the most influential figure in esports, but also one of South Korea’s most recognizable public personalities. It therefore comes as no surprise that he was chosen to support such a campaign, given the immense influence he has over the esports audience, many of whom are young and particularly vulnerable to online gambling and betting.

An Influence Beyond Esports

Faker’s influence has extended far beyond esports for years. Less than two months ago, he was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2026, further cementing his status as one of the most impactful figures in global sports.

Earlier in May, he was also appointed Honorary Ambassador for Korean Food by South Korea’s Minister of Agriculture, Song Mi-ryung, to help promote Korean cuisine in Chinese-speaking markets. It was yet another example of Faker’s reach, demonstrating that his influence extends well beyond League of Legends and into mainstream culture.

His list of accolades extends well beyond esports. Faker was also ranked as the fifth most influential Korean personality in the 2026 Overseas Hallyu Survey, highlighting his global cultural impact. Earlier this year, he received the Cheongnyong Medal, the highest honor that can be awarded to a South Korean athlete. The decoration was presented by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, further underscoring Faker’s status as not only an esports legend, but one of the country’s most celebrated public figures.