Faker sits down with South Korea’s Prime Minister for a rare esports policy talk

South Korean League of Legends star Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok sat down with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok at the prime minister’s official residence in Seoul for an interview-format conversation that touched on where esports is headed—and what the Korean game industry should prioritize next.

During the discussion, Faker pointed to how much public awareness and policy around games have improved since his debut era, but warned that the industry’s incentives can drift toward formulaic, short-term profit. His pitch: build games that last—titles that can inspire, motivate, and stand alongside other major forms of cultural content.

• The meeting took place at the prime minister’s official residence in Seoul, framed as an interview-style conversation.
• Faker argued that games should aim for “inspiration” and positive influence—not just quick monetization.
• He noted Korea’s global dominance in esports doesn’t automatically translate into global dominance for Korean-made games.
• Asked what he’d say to parents, Faker emphasized how difficult pro gaming is—and said he wouldn’t “readily” give permission if his child wanted to pursue it.

The conversation has already done its job as a signal: games are being discussed in the same breath as other cultural industries. The next question is execution—whether anything concrete follows for studios, talent development, and long-term competitiveness.

• Whether the conversation leads to visible follow-up (funding, talent pathways, education, or export support for Korean studios).
• More “cultural industry” framing of games alongside K-dramas/K-food in official messaging.
• How policymakers respond to the tension Faker raised: esports success vs. broader game-industry competitiveness.