South Korean Esports Champions Secure Military Exemption with Gold at Asian Games

Navigating the Military Exemption Law

Under South Korean law, individuals who achieve top-tier success in specific competitions, notably athletes and performers in classical music and other arts, can be exempted from military service, recognizing their contribution to elevating national prestige on the global stage. This law has traditionally applied to physical sports and classical arts, but the inclusion of esports in this privileged category has sparked a nationwide debate.

Triumphant Amidst Absence

Despite the controversy, the atmosphere was purely celebratory at the Hangzhou esports arena in China, where the South Korean team triumphed over Taiwan following a decisive victory against their rivals from China. Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, widely regarded as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in the League of Legends community, was notably absent from the best-of-three final against Taiwan due to illness. Nevertheless, his contributions in the preceding matches ensured that he would be granted the coveted military service exemption. This comes as a timely relief for the 27-year-old Lee, who was nearing the upper age limit for the service requirement.

Team Spirit and Individual Glory

In Lee’s absence, teammates Park Jaehyeok and Choi Wooje stepped up, delivering stellar performances that led the team to a swift victory against Taiwan in just two games. Lee expressed his mixed emotions, stating, “I was sad not to be playing in the gold medal match. However, from a team point of view, everyone did a good job, so I think winning the championship is the best however it is done.” Despite not participating in the final, Lee received a resounding applause, the loudest among his teammates, as the gold medals were distributed.

Esports: A New Frontier in Competitive Gaming

This year marked a monumental moment for esports, as it was included as a competition sport in the Asian Games for the first time, reflecting the burgeoning global games market in terms of both player numbers and revenue. The popularity of esports was evident, with organizers having to implement a lottery system for ticket allocation due to the overwhelming demand.

Diverse Gaming Arena

The esports competition showcased various games, including five PC games and two mobile games, spanning multiple multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) and single-player genres. “League of Legends”, a team-based strategy game where two teams vie to destroy each other’s base, remains one of the most popular choices among esports enthusiasts.

Towards Recognition and Reward in Esports

As esports continues to navigate its path in the world of traditional sports and competitions, victories like this underscore its rising legitimacy and bring to the forefront discussions about the recognition and rewards that esports athletes should receive.

Image source: WNTH