The League of Legends is huge in South Korea and systemically relevant. A politician is now proposing to change the country’s laws so that e-sports stars like LoL player Lee “Faker” Sang-Hyeok or the pop stars of BTS can postpone their military service. This would allow them to continue their careers.
This is the situation:
- In South Korea, men must enlist and serve in the military. At 19, men are drafted and must serve in the armed forces for at least 18 months if they are deemed fit. They are conscripted no later than the age of 25.
- LoL superstar Faker is now 24 years old. According to the current regulations, he would soon be due for military service. This would likely end his career as a LoL star, as military service is incompatible with a life as a LoL professional.
- Now, a politician is proposing a change in the law to spare Faker from the end of his career. He would have to serve his military duty only at the age of 30 if Congress agrees to this proposal.
“Elite of Art and Culture”
This is the change in the law: Politician Jeon Yong-Gi has proposed a change in the law that concerns “excellent personalities in culture and art.” As examples, the K-Pop band BTS and e-sports star Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok are explicitly mentioned.
They should be allowed to serve their military duty only at the age of 30.
A similar exemption already applies to Korean men who have made significant contributions to art and sport. Until now, this exemption primarily referred to Olympians, classical musicians, actors, and directors – and now it should also include e-sports players and pop stars. Those who attend high school can also postpone their military service in South Korea.
Some years ago, South Korea granted its athletes the privilege of postponing their military service for two years if they had prospects of winning “gold at the Olympics.” They only had to complete a 4-week basic training.
The politician justifies his decision: This is not an exception but the opposite. BTS and Faker deserve the same opportunity to delay military service as university students. The politician refers to an “elite in culture.”
What lies behind it: The change in the law shows the significant influence of e-sports and K-Pop in South Korea. Both are apparently considered “systemically relevant,” and politics is engaging with them.
Faker is considered the “best LoL player” of all time, even though his career has stalled recently. But he is seen as a “national treasure,” an extraordinary talent who, in the politician’s view, must continue to be able to pursue his job – which is apparently also seen as important for tourism.
In South Korea, LoL is a political issue
How important gaming is for South Korea can be seen from Ryu Hyo-young. She faced trouble as a politician in March for having shared her LoL account in 2014. The accusation was that she had been boosted by a stronger player.
Another politician pointed this out as a character flaw that would impede a political career. The politician who made the accusations is knowledgeable about the subject, as he was also once a pro-gamer, but in Starcraft, not in LoL.
Politician should resign for sharing her account in League of Legends
The former pro-gamers who are now career politicians will surely understand the proposal aimed at extending Faker’s career in LoL. Whether politics will pass the change in the law remains to be seen:
