"Will Faker Be Buried in the National Cemetery?" "He's Only Thirty"... The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Responds

Awarded the Blue Dragon Sports Merit
Ministry Responds to Fans' Questions
"Possible with Committee Approval," Says Veterans Affairs

President Lee Jae-myung is taking a commemorative photo after awarding the Sports Merit Award Blue Dragon to professional gamer Lee Sang-hyeok, known as 'Faker,' at the New Year's gathering held at the Blue House State Guest House on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has issued an official response to the question of whether Lee Sang-hyeok, known as 'Faker,' who was awarded the Sports Merit Award Blue Dragon, would be eligible for burial in the National Cemetery after his passing. This has become a topic of public interest.

Faker is the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon, which is the highest of the five grades of the Sports Merit Award. Previous recipients include marathoner Sohn Kee-chung, football coach Guus Hiddink, figure skater Kim Yuna, football player Son Heung-min, and professional golfer Pak Se-ri.

This led fans at the time to ask, "Does receiving the Sports Merit Award make someone a national merit recipient?" and "Will he be buried in the National Cemetery in the future?"

In response to these questions, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs provided an answer through its official social media channels. On the 22nd, the ministry stated, "Recipients of the Sports Merit Award Blue Dragon are not considered national merit recipients, but they are recognized as contributors to national society and therefore qualify for burial. However, automatic burial in the National Cemetery does not occur; if the Burial Eligibility Review Committee approves, recipients of the Sports Merit Award may also be buried after their passing."

Netizens also showed a variety of reactions, with comments such as, "Understood, but our Hyuk just turned thirty this year," "Faker is still alive," and "Proper recognition for an athlete who has brought honor to the country."