LCK: Gen.G’s Ruler Under Investigation Following Tax Allegations

Mai "Elly" Chi
7 minutes ago
3 min read

Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk, ADC of Gen.G Esports, is facing tax-related allegations after details of a past audit surfaced publicly. The controversy has drawn attention from Korean media, Riot Games, and KeSPA, raising questions about potential disciplinary action ahead of the LCK 2026 season.

Gen.G’s Ruler faces tax investigation ahead of LCK 2026. Full details on allegations, Riot Korea response, and possible penalties.

The Allegations Toward Ruler

The issue began on March 23, when the National Tax Law Information System released a court document regarding Ruler’s appeal against a tax assessment issued on August 31, 2024. The National Tax Service concluded that he owed additional taxes related to assets managed under his father’s name.

The appeal was rejected, leaving the supplementary tax assessment intact. The audit, which covered Ruler’s income between 2018 and 2021, focused on three key issues:

Unrecognized labor costs: Payments made to his father were not accepted as legitimate business expenses. While Ruler claimed his father acted as his personal manager, authorities found no financial evidence supporting this, noting that his team already handled such responsibilities.
Asset ownership and gift tax concerns: Stocks purchased with Ruler’s funds were registered under his father’s name, with dividends reported as the father’s income. Authorities ruled this as a case of nominee ownership, applying gift tax regulations.
Undeclared foreign royalty income: The audit also identified income from foreign sources that had not been declared.

The total amount remains undisclosed, though estimates suggest it could reach 10 billion KRW (approximately $6.56 million USD).

Response from Ruler’s Agency

Shortly after the reports surfaced, Ruler’s agency, Supergent, released a statement acknowledging the issue and attributing it to an administrative oversight.

The agency stated that:

The assets were managed by Ruler’s father due to practical limitations
There was no intention to gift or conceal assets
The full tax amount has already been paid

However, tax authorities challenged this explanation, stating that registering assets under another individual’s name for tax benefits qualifies for gift tax enforcement under Korean law.

Riot Korea and KeSPA’s Response

According to reports, Riot Korea has confirmed that it is reviewing the situation, with any disciplinary action to be decided based on official procedures.

KeSPA also responded cautiously, stating that:

Complaints will be reviewed by its external Fair Committee
Proceedings will remain confidential

Under Section 9.2.8 of the 2026 LCK Rulebook, players are prohibited from engaging in conduct that violates South Korean law.

If found guilty, Ruler could face penalties ranging from:

A fine of up to 100 million KRW (~$66,050 USD)
Suspension or permanent ban from LCK and LCK CL

Public and Media Reaction

The controversy quickly gained traction across Korean media and online communities.

Major outlets, including Yonhap News and JTBC, reported on the case
The League of Legends Gallery forum released a statement urging strict action
Fans criticized Gen.G for remaining silent during the controversy

The situation drew heightened attention due to Ruler’s military service exemption after winning gold at the 2023 Asian Games, a privilege that carries significant social responsibility in South Korea.