South Korea's LCK to strengthen security after League of Legends pro Faker gets death threats

The death threats notably came after South Korea was recently rocked by multiple stabbing attacks all across the country.

Anna Bernardo
·Contributor
·4 min read

LCK strengthens LoL Park security following death threat against Faker

After receiving a death threat online, Dajeon police cars have been deployed all over T1's offices and the LoL Park to protect Faker. (Photo: horrang_dan, Riot Games)
After receiving a death threat online, Dajeon police cars have been deployed all over T1's offices and the LoL Park to protect Faker. (Photo: horrang_dan, Riot Games)

League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) have recently released a statement about increased security protocols for the remaining Summer playoffs and the upcoming Regional Finals after T1's superstar midlaner Lee "Faker" Sang-Hyeok became the target of death threats.

“The #LCK plans to strengthen LoL Park security during the remainder of Playoffs & Finals following recent violent incidents and threats of violence,” the announcement on Twitter posted on Friday (12 August) read.

Upgraded security measures include “detailed bag searches,” additional security personnel, and more security equipment, alongside a strengthened emergency response.

LCK implemented stricter security protocols in the LoL Park. (Photo: Riot Games)
LCK implemented stricter security protocols in the LoL Park. (Photo: Riot Games)

“We ask for your cooperation as we create a safer environment for all,” the LCK statement concluded.

The decision was made after a user on the Korean online forum, DC Inside, threatened to "harm" Faker.

The death threats have set everyone on the edge, especially with the recent mass stabbing attacks reported all over South Korea, including 14 wounded in a car and stabbing rampage, in Seongnam City, and a teacher stabbed while leaving a classroom in Daejeon.

Faker the target of an online death threat

A few days after returning from his arm injury, Faker faces an online death threat. (Photo: Riot Games)
A few days after returning from his arm injury, Faker faces an online death threat. (Photo: Riot Games)

The death threat came after KT Rolster’s shocking loss against T1, with Faker back in the team.

According to a report by Korean news outlet 연합뉴스 (Yonhap News), the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency was informed on August 11th about a forum post that had been shared on the online community DC Inside at approximately 10:00 PM on August 10th.

The police report states that the post (which has since been removed), contained the following message, "I will go to the dormitory of the team ‘T1’ to which Faker belongs and harm him with a weapon.”

Police cars were immediately deployed to T1’s offices and dormitories to ensure Faker's safety.

The police intend to arrest the person after confirming the author's identity by tracing the Internet address (IP).

T1 also issued a statement on Friday (11 August) morning.

According to a report by South Korean news outlet Naver, T1’s representative said, "We are also actively taking care of it and responding with a very high priority."

They also mentioned that a police car was “currently waiting in front of T1’s practice room”.

T1 also emphasised that they would “take strong action against the death threats written by the community” for Faker.

This is not the first time that Faker, or any South Korean Esports player or team, has been threatened or harassed by anonymous fans. In 2022, Faker and T1 also sued a group of individuals for ‘unspeakably foul’ drawings.

And in the same year, KT Rolster received a box of weapons in the LoL team’s practice rooms.

T1 in better shape since Faker's return

T1 is in better shape with the Unkillable Demon King back. (Photo: Riot Games)
T1 is in better shape with the Unkillable Demon King back. (Photo: Riot Games)

Right before the online threat, Faker recently led T1 to a historic playoff victory over KT Rolster in the LCK Summer Split, ensuring the team a spot in the split's top three.

It also has to be noted that KT Rolster, which was the regular season’s top team with a 17-1 record, picked T1 as their first opponent in the playoffs, given T1’s rocky season following Faker’s absence.

T1 barely made it to the LCK Summer playoffs, dropping to 5th place in the regular season after a six-game losing streak without Faker.

LCK crew's predictions on Thursday (10 August) all favoured KT Rolster against T1. (Photo: Riot Games)
LCK crew's predictions on Thursday (10 August) all favoured KT Rolster against T1. (Photo: Riot Games)

With everyone in the LCK analyst and caster team predicting T1’s loss against KT Rolster, Faker, who is just barely a few days back from an arm injury that forced him to take a break, led the team to victory with a 3-2 score.

However, T1 have recently lost against Gen.G Esports on Saturday (12 August) in a lengthy encounter that ended in Gen.G’s favour, 3-2.

As a result, T1 dropped to the Lower Bracket Final and may potentially have a rematch against KT Rolster or go against Hanwa Life Esports, depending on who wins the Lower Bracket Semifinal.

Anna is a freelance writer and photographer. She is a gamer who loves RPGs and platformers, and is a League of Legends geek. She's also a food enthusiast who loves a good cup of black coffee.

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