Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) has become the first South Korean esports athlete to receive the Cheongnyong Medal (1st Class) of the Order of Sport Merit.

On January 2, Lee attended the New Year’s reception held at the Yeongbin-gwan (State Guest House) at Cheong Wa Dae, where President Lee Jae-myung personally presented him with the Cheongnyong Medal of the Order of Sport Merit. This marks the first time an esports player has received the highest class of the government’s Order of Sport Merit.

The Order of Sport Merit is a state decoration awarded to individuals who have contributed to the development of national sports and elevated the country’s prestige. It is divided into five classes: Cheongnyong Medal (1st Class), Maengho Medal (2nd Class), Geosang Medal (3rd Class), Baengma Medal (4th Class), and Girin Medal (5th Class).

The Cheongnyong Medal that Lee received is the highest class among them, and has previously been awarded to iconic figures in Korean sports, including marathoner Sohn Kee-chung, footballer Son Heung-min, figure skater Kim Yuna, baseball player Park Chan-ho, and golfer Pak Se-ri.

Lee made his professional debut in 2013 as a member of SK Telecom T1. He holds the record of 10 League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) titles in the domestic league. In particular, at last year’s League of Legends World Championship (Worlds), he lifted the trophy for the sixth time in his career—an unprecedented achievement. Prior to that, he represented South Korea at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and won a gold medal, earning recognition for his contribution to elevating the nation’s standing.

Immediately after receiving the honor, Lee emphasized its meaning for his team and the industry as a whole rather than treating it as a purely personal accolade. “It’s an enormous personal honor to receive a decoration that represents the Republic of Korea,” he said, adding, “But I could not be standing here without the teammates and colleagues who have run alongside me up to this point.” He also shared that he hopes the medal he received can become a small source of joy and pride for everyone who cherishes Korean esports.

Lee further expressed gratitude to fans and spoke about his aspirations going forward. “This would have been impossible without the support of the fans who are always there giving me strength,” he said. “I will continue to devote myself with my best effort in every moment, both in and out of competition, so that I can share positive messages and help raise the stature of Korean esports.”

This article was translated from the original that appeared on INVEN.