In a significant move to address cyberbullying in esports, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi issued a call to action on November 20th. The appeal followed sustained online harassment directed at Lee ‘Gumayusi’ Min-hyeong, the MVP of the 2025 League of Legends World Championship finals. The lawmaker has urged esports bodies, online platforms, and government institutions to take immediate measures to tackle this growing issue.
Public Outcry Against Harassment
Reports suggest that Jeon took to social media to criticize what he described as an organized pattern of harassment emerging from various community platforms. He condemned the attacks as having crossed acceptable limits, urging an immediate cessation of the ongoing targeted abuse. Jeon highlighted that the criticism of Gumayusi continued even after he left T1, questioning whether such actions could be considered genuine support. He warned that these behaviors were more aligned with cyberbullying intended for attention. “Cheering for a team can never be used as a justification for singling out a specific player for abuse,” Jeon stated.
Call for Responses
The lawmaker has presented a multi-faceted framework to combat the issue, urging esports governing bodies, platform operators, and government legislators to take decisive action. Jeon has called on the Korea e-Sports Association, Riot Games Korea, and individual organizations to step up and protect players from online attacks, particularly younger and emerging talents. He also urged platform operators to enhance self-regulation to prevent harmful content from escalating into criminal behavior.
Legislative Escalation Planned Against Harassment in Esports
Jeon has drawn on his previous efforts to combat online harassment and is pushing for stronger legal measures. He argues that existing protections are inadequate and has called for tougher sanctions, including criminal penalties for online defamation and insult, as well as increased damages in civil cases. Jeon emphasized that the issue with Gumayusi mirrors broader concerns about player treatment in esports. He has appealed for collective action within the industry to ensure every player’s protection, urging fans and stakeholders to foster a safer environment. The statement adds to the ongoing discussions in Korea on player welfare, fan culture, and the role of online communities in protecting esports athletes.