Korean Official Urges KeSPA and Riot Korea to Address Gumayusi Cyberbullying Concerns

South Korean National Assembly member Jeon Yong-gi has taken a strong stance against the ongoing cyberbullying faced by League of Legends star Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyung, urging key esports organizations, including the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA), Riot Games Korea, and professional teams, to act swiftly.

“Cheering for a team does not justify targeting a specific player with criticism, and claiming that it’s encouragement during a temporary skill dip is no excuse for malicious attacks,” Jeon stated in a Facebook post on November 20, 2025, calling for an end to what he described as years of targeted harassment against Gumayusi.

In his remarks, Jeon specifically criticized the T1 Support Gallery, known as T1Gall, a community within the League of Legends fandom that has faced accusations of extreme behavior, organized hate campaigns, and personal attacks against Gumayusi and his family.

He dismissed the group’s self-identification as a “fan community,” labeling their actions as “cyberbullying for entertainment” and “cyber wrecking for profit.” Jeon pointed out that their harassment continued even after the Worlds 2025 MVP left T1, raising questions about whether their motives were ever genuinely rooted in fandom.

Jeon called on KeSPA, Riot Korea, and esports organizations to stop being “bystanders” and to implement effective player protection measures, especially for younger athletes who are more susceptible to ongoing online abuse. He highlighted the urgent need for stronger protective frameworks and clearer protocols to tackle both online and offline threats.

The lawmaker also placed some responsibility on platform operators like DC Inside, describing the site as a hotspot for harmful posts. He asserted that these platforms should be held accountable when harassment escalates to potential criminal activity, indicating that regulatory or legal actions may be necessary if they fail to intervene.

Since entering office in 2020, Jeon has emerged as a prominent advocate against online harassment, previously facilitating the removal of comments on esports articles and proposing legislation aimed at combating cyberbullying.

He pledged to leverage this incident to advance legislative efforts that would increase criminal penalties for defamation and expand civil damages for victims of online abuse. Jeon emphasized that this issue transcends a single player, asserting that every esports athlete deserves safety and protection.

T1 has also faced repeated DDoS attacks that have disrupted team operations and competitive preparations, while “T1 trucks” have been dispatched to the organization’s headquarters displaying harsh messages aimed at both management and players. These incidents have raised concerns about the escalating harassment surrounding the team and its athletes.

Jeon urged fans, clubs, organizations, and platforms to collaborate in breaking the cycle of harassment and to cultivate a healthier culture within the esports community in South Korea.