KeSPA sanctions Ruler with 40 hours of community service and a 20 million won fine over his tax case

The Sports Fair-Play Committee of the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) published an official statement on June 17, 2026, announcing its decision to sanction Park "" Jae-hyuk, the AD Carry of , in connection with his tax case, which first became public in late March. Contrary to the LCK's decision to clear him in May, KeSPA has handed the player 40 hours of community service and a disciplinary fine of 20 million won, approximately $13,000.

It all began on March 26, 2026, when South Korea's National Tax Law Information System made public a Tax Tribunal ruling dated July 8, 2024, rejecting the appeal filed by Ruler on August 2, 2023, against the tax assessments issued to him for the years 2018 to 2021. The Tribunal had upheld two separate findings: first, that there was insufficient objective evidence to support the claim that his father had acted as his manager and therefore justified the personnel fees paid to him; and second, that a nominee trust arrangement involving shares registered in his father's name had no clear justification other than tax avoidance.

The LCK opened an investigation shortly after, on April 1, before concluding exactly one month later that no criminal violation had been established and that the facts could not be characterized as "immoral or degrading acts" under its rulebook. Ruler would not be sanctioned by the league. However, KeSPA, a separate body that oversees and partly governs South Korean esports in the manner of an official federation, continued its own review.

In its statement published on June 17, the Committee notes that the proceedings were opened after receiving numerous reports claiming that the situation had damaged esports. According to the association, the review of Ruler's case was "initiated after the Committee received numerous reports to the effect that the honor and credibility of esports had been damaged" following the publication of the Tax Tribunal's ruling.

After hearing Ruler directly and reviewing the materials he submitted, the Committee concluded that his conduct constituted "a case of serious damage to dignity as a member of the esports community," under Article 33, Paragraph 1, Item 4 of the KeSPA Sports Fair-Play Committee regulations.

While the Committee acknowledges that Ruler has fully paid the amounts assessed by the tax authorities and returned the shares held under the nominee trust, it emphasizes his particular social responsibility. A silver medalist at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and gold medalist at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, Ruler is, according to the statement, "one of the representatives of Korean esports, whose social influence extends beyond the scope of his club or any specific league."