Please don't make comments that don't have any content other than 'free life'. They don't contribute to the discussion, and therefore will be moderated from this point on. - The_Templar
The Seoul Central District Court found former KeSPA chairman and politician Jun Byung Hun guilty of receiving over 500,000,000 KRW in corporate bribes, according to Chosun.com. Mr. Jun—a member of parliament and former official in the current Presidential administration—had been accused of receiving bribes from Lotte Homeshopping, GS Homeshopping, and KT in exchange for political favors between 2013 and 2015. He is accused of funneling these bribes through KeSPA as sponsorships or donations, which he then embezzled.
The court sentenced him to five years in prison and fined him 350,000,000 KRW on the bribery charges. The court also found Mr. Jun guilty of abusing his influence as a government official to appropriate 2,000,000,000 KRW in government funding toward KeSPA.
Mr. Jun declared that he would "immediately" appeal the court's decision.
Update: 2018-01-19
Korean prosecutors formally indicted former KeSPA chairman Jun on the 18th, according to Hankyoreh. He is charged with bribery, embezzlement, abuse of power as a government official, receiving illegal political funds and other charges.
The primary charges, according to Hankyoreh, are as follows:
1) Receiving 550,000,000 Korean won in bribes from LG Homeshopping, GS homeshopping, and KT, funneled through KeSPA. 2) Directly receiving bribes/kickbacks from Lotte homeshopping in the form of gift cards, etc., worth 11,000,000 Won. 3) Using his position on the President's staff to prevent a budget slash for KeSPA, maintaining 2,000,000,000 Won of funding. 4) Receiving 20,000,000 Won in campaign funds from an esports broadcasting company.
Prosecutors also indicted the former chairman of Lotte Homeshopping for actively seeking favors from Mr. Jun in return for payment. Prosecutors said no charges were brought on GS Homeshopping or KT due to the nature of Mr. Jun's coercion, and the two company's reluctant attitude to giving into his requests.
Updates: 2017-11-20
Korean prosecutors summoned former KeSPA chairman Jun for questioning on the 20th, on charges of receiving bribes (described below) from Lotte Homeshopping, according to Yonhap News. While Mr. Jun said "I'm deeply remorseful for the deviations of two of my former aides..." he denied any wrongdoing himself, stating "I have not participated in anything illegal." The questioning session is reported to have lasted for 17 hours.
Hankyoreh reported that prosecutors plan to issue a warrant for Mr. Jun's arrest. The Korean newspaper noted that Mr. Jun had been investigated for receiving outside funds in the past, but had avoided direct implication.
On November 16th, Mr. Jun said he intended to resign from his position on Korean President Moon Jae-In's staff. The bribery scandal has been a largely political story in the South Korean press.
Updates: 2017-11-14
Gametoc reports that two high ranking KeSPA officials "Mr. Cho" and "Mr. Park" have been apprehended by KesPA on charges including embezzlement, money laundering, and paying out false salaries.
Investigators said Mr. Cho issued a KeSPA credit card to Mr. Yun—the aide to Mr. Jun who is charged with receiving and embezzling bribes from Lotte Homeshopping—which he used for large amounts of personal spending.
Hankook Ilbo had previously reported that Mr. Jun changed KeSPA bylaws in order to give himself a salary as chairman, and later honorary chairman (the position was previously nonsalaried).
Hankyoreh reported earlier that investigators have testimony implicating Mr. Jun directly, and that they plan to summon him upon his return to Korea on the 15th from an overseas trip.
Updates: 2017-11-09
Maeil Business reports that Korean prosecutors have testimony from former Lotte Homeshopping CEO Kang Hyun-Gu that states he met with ex-KeSPA Chairman Mr. Jun before giving a 300,000,000 won sponsorship to KeSPA. The testimony was obtained in a prior investigation into Lotte Homeshopping, where Mr. Kang was found guilty of orchestrating a broad-ranging campaign of bribery to ensure Lotte Homeshopping's continued operations.
Updates: 2017-11-08
Joongang Ilbo reports that Mr. Yun, an aide to former KeSPA chairman Jun, requested that Lotte Homeshopping form a progaming team shortly after it received reapproval to continue operating. According to a source related to Lotte "Mr. Yun suggested that we create a progaming team, but the expenditure of around 1,000,000,000 won was too expensive. After weighing it internally, we offered to participate as a title sponsor for a KeSPA held gaming tournament, putting up around 300,000,000 won."
Lotte denies any illicit favors were received in return for their sponsorship, which the Prosecutor's Office is currently investigating. They believe 100,000,000 of the sponsorship money was embezzled by Mr. Yun alongside Mr. Kim (another one of the ex-Charmain's aides), and laundered with the help of a broker Mr. Bae. All three parties have been arrested.
While ex-chariman Jun has yet to be implicated directly, Yonhap news noted that Mr. Jun was responsible for pushing through legislation that allowed the government to stop the operations of home shopping companies for certain unfair business practices.
Original post
Korean prosecutors have raided KeSPA offices as part of an investigation into bribes received by aides of a former KeSPA chairman, as well as the embezzlement of KeSPA funds.
"We're looking into the process through which the Korea e-Sports Association received sponsorship funds from Lotte Homeshopping, and the embezzlement of Association funds" said an official related to the Prosecutor's Office, according to Korean newspaper Hankyoreh.
According to Hankyoreh, the investigation began after prosecutors discovered clues that aides of a former KeSPA Chairman had received payments worth several hundred thousands of dollars from Lotte Homeshopping. Prosecutors are also investigating a 300,000,000 won sponsorship deal between Lotte Homeshopping and KeSPA for any favors received in return by Lotte Homeshopping (The 2015 KeSPA Cup Season 2 was sponsored by Lotte Homeshopping).
The former KeSPA chairman—who remains unnamed in media reports but is almost certainly Mr. Jun Byung-Hun by his description as a former MP and current member of the Korean president's staff—previously held a position on a government committee with the power to renew Lotte Homeshopping's operating license. Prosecutors suspect Lotte Homeshopping may have "lobbied" the former chairman for renewal.
The Seoul Economic Daily noted that prosecutors had previously investigated Lotte Homeshopping in 2016 for submitting falsified business plans and creating secret funds to lobby for reapproval, which resulted in the indictment of its CEO.
According to JTBC News, three arrests have been made so far in the investigation, including aides to the former KeSPA chairman.
KeSPA, after the early days of glory for BW, has been a plague, a cancer for the Starcraft scene in Korea.
Call me biased, but when has anyone heard of anything particularly positive about this organization? Forever and always one scandal after another. Ugh.
On November 07 2017 12:11 EngrishTeacher wrote: KeSPA, after the early days of glory for BW, has been a plague, a cancer for the Starcraft scene in Korea.
Call me biased, but when has anyone heard of anything particularly positive about this organization? Forever and always one scandal after another. Ugh.
kespa oversaw the transition of esports in korea from grassroots to the mainstream that we see today, through the facilitation of large corporate sponsors into the industry. kespa also introduced a level of professionalism in the scene similar to traditional sports that may or may have not pushed starcraft competition from the 'wrestling' style production to the sports style production we see these days.
the organization has its warranted level of hatred among casual fans but as someone who's observed its role in korean esports since its creation, they've done more good than bad. obviously no one is going to talk about the good when there is the bad to talk about though, as is with human nature. if someone can name me a sports organization that hasn't had any problems/controversies, i'm all open ears.
On November 07 2017 12:11 EngrishTeacher wrote: KeSPA, after the early days of glory for BW, has been a plague, a cancer for the Starcraft scene in Korea.
Call me biased, but when has anyone heard of anything particularly positive about this organization? Forever and always one scandal after another. Ugh.
kespa oversaw the transition of esports in korea from grassroots to the mainstream that we see today, through the facilitation of large corporate sponsors into the industry. kespa also introduced a level of professionalism in the scene similar to traditional sports that may or may have not pushed starcraft competition from the 'wrestling' style production to the sports style production we see these days.
the organization has its warranted level of hatred among casual fans but as someone who's observed its role in korean esports since its creation, they've done more good than bad. obviously no one is going to talk about the good when there is the bad to talk about though, as is with human nature. if someone can name me a sports organization that hasn't had any problems/controversies, i'm all open ears.
I don't give a shit about the "professionalism" and "structure," but they're the vehicle that allow progamers to receive good salaries from corporations. It's the only thing justifying their existence in my mind.
On November 07 2017 12:11 EngrishTeacher wrote: KeSPA, after the early days of glory for BW, has been a plague, a cancer for the Starcraft scene in Korea.
Call me biased, but when has anyone heard of anything particularly positive about this organization? Forever and always one scandal after another. Ugh.
kespa oversaw the transition of esports in korea from grassroots to the mainstream that we see today, through the facilitation of large corporate sponsors into the industry. kespa also introduced a level of professionalism in the scene similar to traditional sports that may or may have not pushed starcraft competition from the 'wrestling' style production to the sports style production we see these days.
the organization has its warranted level of hatred among casual fans but as someone who's observed its role in korean esports since its creation, they've done more good than bad. obviously no one is going to talk about the good when there is the bad to talk about though, as is with human nature. if someone can name me a sports organization that hasn't had any problems/controversies, i'm all open ears.
I don't give a shit about the "professionalism" and "structure," but they're the vehicle that allow progamers to receive good salaries from corporations. It's the only thing justifying their existence in my mind.
They also artificially held those salaries down to an absurd degree that would be (rightfully) illegal in the US and many other places.
On November 07 2017 12:11 EngrishTeacher wrote: KeSPA, after the early days of glory for BW, has been a plague, a cancer for the Starcraft scene in Korea.
Call me biased, but when has anyone heard of anything particularly positive about this organization? Forever and always one scandal after another. Ugh.
kespa oversaw the transition of esports in korea from grassroots to the mainstream that we see today, through the facilitation of large corporate sponsors into the industry. kespa also introduced a level of professionalism in the scene similar to traditional sports that may or may have not pushed starcraft competition from the 'wrestling' style production to the sports style production we see these days.
the organization has its warranted level of hatred among casual fans but as someone who's observed its role in korean esports since its creation, they've done more good than bad. obviously no one is going to talk about the good when there is the bad to talk about though, as is with human nature. if someone can name me a sports organization that hasn't had any problems/controversies, i'm all open ears.
I don't give a shit about the "professionalism" and "structure," but they're the vehicle that allow progamers to receive good salaries from corporations. It's the only thing justifying their existence in my mind.
They also artificially held those salaries down to an absurd degree that would be (rightfully) illegal in the US and many other places.
With Kespa they earned up to 60k $ a year. Without Kespa they earn..? a small portion of that. Which is better?
I don't get it...Why is it that Kespa is notoriously strict and difficult to work with, supposed to be good for progamers, yet they've run everything into the ground and have been plagued with corruption & allegations? They just seem like crooked bunch of dudes who have nearly toppled Starcraft from the scene.
As an aside, since people mentioned "free Life", lol...with crooks like this at the top of Kespa, you have to wonder if he didn't feel forced to make some of his decisions - i.e., under duress or family threats. It's not as if he were the only one making bad choices when the rot has spread all the way to the top, we can now see.
On November 07 2017 15:38 DIngoDog wrote: I don't get it...Why is it that Kespa is notoriously strict and difficult to work with, supposed to be good for progamers, yet they've run everything into the ground and have been plagued with corruption & allegations? They just seem like crooked bunch of dudes who have nearly toppled Starcraft from the scene.
As an aside, since people mentioned "free Life", lol...with crooks like this at the top of Kespa, you have to wonder if he didn't feel forced to make some of his decisions - i.e., under duress or family threats. It's not as if he were the only one making bad choices when the rot has spread all the way to the top, we can now see.
I'm so fucking sick of Kespa's bullshit. I hope they get shut down and all the crooks rot in jail.
I also think we should focus on individual guilt here and not blame kespa in general. But ofcourse - such a big organization should have some safety mechanisms built in to prevent such stuff from happening.
On November 07 2017 16:41 fronkschnonk wrote: I also think we should focus on individual guilt here and not blame kespa in general. But ofcourse - such a big organization should have some safety mechanisms built in to prevent such stuff from happening.
Don't be silly. People love to shit on KeSPA and blame everything wrong on them.
On November 07 2017 12:01 Waxangel wrote: The former KeSPA chairman—who remains unnamed in media reports but is almost certainly Mr. Jeon Byung-Hun by his description as a former MP and current member of the Korean president's staff—previously held a position on a government committee with the power to renew Lotte Homeshopping's operating license. Prosecutors suspect Lotte Homeshopping may have "lobbied" the former chairman for renewal.
A) From KESPA to president's staff – Now that's how big eSports is in Korea! B) Why would Lotte need such shady moves to be able to renew their "operating license"?
On November 07 2017 17:41 Jj_82 wrote: B) Why would Lotte need such shady moves to be able to renew their "operating license"?
It probably isn't so much that Lotte gets benefits directly to their 'operating license' but that with donations these people in positions of power within the government can recommend, give discounts, etc. to the company at later times. It's the 'practical' lobbying that happens all the time in America. Spend a few million to sway the opinions and votes of those in power, and later get back hundreds of millions or even billions from that investment.
On November 07 2017 17:41 Jj_82 wrote: B) Why would Lotte need such shady moves to be able to renew their "operating license"?
It probably isn't so much that Lotte gets benefits directly to their 'operating license' but that with donations these people in positions of power within the government can recommend, give discounts, etc. to the company at later times. It's the 'practical' lobbying that happens all the time in America. Spend a few million to sway the opinions and votes of those in power, and later get back hundreds of millions or even billions from that investment.
One thing to note, is that there was a big corruption scandal last/this year where apparently the government was threatening conglomerates with implementing negative policies if they didn't pay up.
But it has been a long time since I followed this so please correct me if I'm wrong.
First up, I didn't know how close KeSPA high ups were to political power.
On November 07 2017 16:22 CHEONSOYUN wrote: it has very little to do with esports unfortunately; this is everyday corporate crime.
From reading this OP - and only reading this OP - that seems to be the case. If the allegation is true then KeSPA was just a brown envelope. A convenient way to funnel money from a corporate donor to a politician in return for favours. It is going to be a story worth following to see if that's all that's going on.
Other than that, I'd like to join the voices using this event to push a faith-based political ideology. This ideology is great because it provides me with a template with which I can approach any social, political or economic event, no matter how complex, with a fill-in-the-blanks approach that makes me feel far more informed than I actually am. Not only that, as I gaze out over the heads of the sleeping sheeple, I know I won't be alone, there will always be another alpha sporting the scars of political lobotomy to wink at, before we both gaze up tearfully in to a firmament of billions knowing that the people-who-matter approve.
On November 07 2017 21:02 nabresrotciv wrote: What happened to the “not guilty untill proven”?. It seems to me that you all consider them guilty already, which is completely wrong.
They've not exactly got the best track record as an organisation so it's no surprise people are assuming.
On November 07 2017 21:02 nabresrotciv wrote: What happened to the “not guilty untill proven”?. It seems to me that you all consider them guilty already, which is completely wrong.
They've not exactly got the best track record as an organisation so it's no surprise people are assuming.
I follow the scene and I agree about that, but still, having a discussion about someone being gulity before proven is very wrong, no matter how many times they we’re convicted. With your point of view the whole system is wrong, and if you question the system, then, I also question their conviction and say they we’re wrongfully acused and sentenced. It makes no sense, I would rather wait for the conclusion of the trial and then comment on it.
On November 07 2017 21:02 nabresrotciv wrote: What happened to the “not guilty untill proven”?. It seems to me that you all consider them guilty already, which is completely wrong.
People love to throw stones at others, especially if it makes it look like they are taking the moral high ground.
On November 07 2017 21:02 nabresrotciv wrote: What happened to the “not guilty untill proven”?. It seems to me that you all consider them guilty already, which is completely wrong.
On November 07 2017 21:48 catabowl wrote: If this is the case, another nail into ESports grave. And it sucks... and here I was slowly getting back into it... ugh...
Corruption is bad, but unless this somehow impacted the actual games, this isn't related to esports at all.
the most fun, most honest competition is a pick-up game between your RL friends...whether its football or starcraft
On November 07 2017 21:36 xTJx wrote: The offices wouldn't been raided withouth heavy suspicion and proofs to back it up. What sucks is that it took so long for police to find it out. This hurts the business' image.
really eh? in your fantasy world BS search warrants never get falsely executed? if Kespa can be corrupt so can the cops. OJ Simpson says "hi".
On November 07 2017 12:10 Solar424 wrote: Here we go again boys, more corruption in Korean esports. Funny how the most regulated esports system on Earth is also the most crooked.
How do you know it's the most crooked ? Maybe it's most intensively investigated and publicized because it's the most regulated esports system on Earth ?
On November 07 2017 12:10 Solar424 wrote: Here we go again boys, more corruption in Korean esports. Funny how the most regulated esports system on Earth is also the most crooked.
How do you know it's the most crooked ? Maybe it's most intensively investigated and publicized because it's the most regulated esports system on Earth ?
I am not saying it is, but just because something is heavily regulated and controlled does not mean it isn't susceptible to corruption.
I find it good that they act on it even if the guy is working with the president now. Also it looks more loke a political issue than anything kespa actually did or did not do for the game. Kespa has had a generally positive role in korean esport. At least in the beginning. They allowed players to get paid, being full time "employees" despite being underaged, having regular and law enforceable contracts (unlike scams players suffered in the foreign scene, not being paid etc...). Of course they ended up super rigid and all but those things come hand in hand usually.
@rude, may be because in korea they actually look into it more thoroughly, unlike, say, Mr Balkany (easy example ^^)
Also Life, though an amazing player, did a huge ammount of damage to the scene in Korea and was convicted. He fully deserves what he got.
Lobbying itself is entirely illegal in Korea so I can't quite fathom how lobbying is legally done in US. What's the difference between lobbying and bribing a group to do one's bidding?
On November 08 2017 07:31 highsis wrote: Is lobbying like this legal in US?
Lobbying itself is entirely illegal in Korea so I can't quite fathom how lobbying is legally done in US. What's the difference between lobbying and bribing a group to do one's bidding?
Somehow I missed this but caught it under the hot threads.
Oh hot diggity someone has the replays! I wonder what else they have...
On November 08 2017 09:34 youngjiddle wrote: could you stop mentioning life, it has nothing to do with him and not funny.
It could end up having something to do with him, and people, his fans and otherwise, certainly have plenty of unanswered question surrounding the entire situation.
We only know what we know, and I don't think we know a whole lot.
On November 08 2017 09:34 youngjiddle wrote: could you stop mentioning life, it has nothing to do with him and not funny.
It could end up having something to do with him, and people, his fans and otherwise, certainly have plenty of unanswered question surrounding the entire situation.
We only know what we know, and I don't think we know a whole lot.
How would it have anything to do with him? Even if KeSPA officials told him he could match fix, it still wouldn't exonerate him.
Has no one ever thought of this as a possibility? They run a business lacking integrity... The contractual clause binding players to their will, as if they were slaves, somewhat tilt towards authoritarianism... They require 3rd parties to go through them as a filter to access players for invitationals, somewhat restrictive. There's an argument against this somewhere basing on MLB, NBA, NFL rules... but those are all monopolies in their own rights...whereas, KesPA isn't necessarily a monopoly.
On November 08 2017 20:32 Noonius wrote: I have a suspicion that KeSPA is just as rotten and corrupt to the core as FIFA or NCAA
I wouldn't be surprised if the whole gambling circle was ran by kespa. Its a pretty big business and people usually get ruined by power and $$. Even the most righteous person can become corrupt on right circumstances. You don't get to the top so easily without doing shit. But go ahead people, believe Obama was nice and eu gives a shit about eu.
On November 08 2017 07:31 highsis wrote: Is lobbying like this legal in US?
Lobbying itself is entirely illegal in Korea so I can't quite fathom how lobbying is legally done in US. What's the difference between lobbying and bribing a group to do one's bidding?
Minor update, with a Korean media source stating prosecutors DO have testimony that implicates ex-chairman Jun directly (prosecutors have yet to go after him directly in public)
Please don't make comments that don't have any content other than 'free life'. They don't contribute to the discussion, and therefore will be moderated from this point on.
Lobbying and bribery are essentially the same, except lobbying is legal and requires paperwork for transparency.
Unfortunately, understanding the paperwork and process for making/changing laws is difficult to understand. So for the majority of the population, they have no idea who or what is getting lobbied, so it might as well be bribery.
On November 10 2017 19:12 Jett.Jack.Alvir wrote: Lobbying and bribery are essentially the same, except lobbying is legal and requires paperwork for transparency.
Unfortunately, understanding the paperwork and process for making/changing laws is difficult to understand. So for the majority of the population, they have no idea who or what is getting lobbied, so it might as well be bribery.
Lobbying can also involve advertising through "independant" groups to sway public opinions on complicated issues or views on legislators (or candidates).
One of the simpler kinds of lobbying is a lobby group sharing information on how to contact a legislator, or that people should contact a legislator, so on, called grassroots lobbying (in the U.S., at least) and is something I don't think most people even associate with lobbying where I live because of its apparent simplicity and "cleanliness", perhaps as well as it being indirect (as opposed to direct, where a lobby group would contact a person and communicate with them directly).
I think most people see lobbying as a way to obfuscate and reflect information, information going to the public/voters, or usually information regarding what money is trading between who's hands. The type of lobbying in this case seems to be the more stereotypical idea that boils down to being that sort of "complicated bribery hogwash", as either my grandfather or an uncle would put it.
On November 10 2017 17:50 engesser1 wrote: Bastards, and they saying it's all because of one man that ruined everything? HAhaa, come on people, FREE LIFE!
On November 10 2017 17:50 engesser1 wrote: Bastards, and they saying it's all because of one man that ruined everything? HAhaa, come on people, FREE LIFE!
User was warned for this post
200% agree. Hypocrites... FREE LIFE!
I bet you could go lower than free life come on.
wheres the free prime and sbenu did nothing wrong?
disgusting, like as if KeSPA was the one holding life back.
So Mr jun pushed a law that allowed goverment to put certain companies out of business, then started to take ransom so they could continue doing business?
On November 10 2017 19:12 Jett.Jack.Alvir wrote: Lobbying and bribery are essentially the same, except lobbying is legal and requires paperwork for transparency.
Unfortunately, understanding the paperwork and process for making/changing laws is difficult to understand. So for the majority of the population, they have no idea who or what is getting lobbied, so it might as well be bribery.
Lobbying can also involve advertising through "independant" groups to sway public opinions on complicated issues or views on legislators (or candidates).
One of the simpler kinds of lobbying is a lobby group sharing information on how to contact a legislator, or that people should contact a legislator, so on, called grassroots lobbying (in the U.S., at least) and is something I don't think most people even associate with lobbying where I live because of its apparent simplicity and "cleanliness", perhaps as well as it being indirect (as opposed to direct, where a lobby group would contact a person and communicate with them directly).
I think most people see lobbying as a way to obfuscate and reflect information, information going to the public/voters, or usually information regarding what money is trading between who's hands. The type of lobbying in this case seems to be the more stereotypical idea that boils down to being that sort of "complicated bribery hogwash", as either my grandfather or an uncle would put it.
Yes, there are many types of lobbying. Not all types lobbyist resemble bribery in any way.
However, the big corporations that lobby for industries such as pharmaceuticals are basically bribery.
Grassroots lobbying is completely natural and organic. It still costs money, like airtime on television and internet to pay for advertising slots, but usually far less to accomplish great goals.
On November 10 2017 17:50 engesser1 wrote: Bastards, and they saying it's all because of one man that ruined everything? HAhaa, come on people, FREE LIFE!
User was warned for this post
200% agree. Hypocrites... FREE LIFE!
I bet you could go lower than free life come on.
wheres the free prime and sbenu did nothing wrong?
disgusting, like as if KeSPA was the one holding life back.
On November 12 2017 16:22 SuperFanBoy wrote: Is there a chance of Life coming back now? What needs to happen to get Life competing in sc2?
- Kespa needs to cease to exist (extremely unlikely) - Blizzard would have to potentially reinstate Life (highly unlikely) - Afreeca/GSL would have to potentially reinstate Life (also unlikely) - The koreans fans and players would have to welcome Life back (exceedingly unlikely)
Remember that even if Kespa were to cease to exist, there's nothing stopping Blizzard or Afreeca from banning Life from the GSL or any WCS events.
On November 12 2017 16:22 SuperFanBoy wrote: Is there a chance of Life coming back now? What needs to happen to get Life competing in sc2?
- Kespa needs to cease to exist (extremely unlikely) - Blizzard would have to potentially reinstate Life (highly unlikely) - Afreeca/GSL would have to potentially reinstate Life (also unlikely) - The koreans fans and players would have to welcome Life back (exceedingly unlikely)
Remember that even if Kespa were to cease to exist, there's nothing stopping Blizzard of Afreeca from banning Life from the GSL or any WCS events.
What would happen if he competes outside of Korea? e.g. gets invited and attends a HomeStory cup?
On November 12 2017 16:22 SuperFanBoy wrote: Is there a chance of Life coming back now? What needs to happen to get Life competing in sc2?
- Kespa needs to cease to exist (extremely unlikely) - Blizzard would have to potentially reinstate Life (highly unlikely) - Afreeca/GSL would have to potentially reinstate Life (also unlikely) - The koreans fans and players would have to welcome Life back (exceedingly unlikely)
Remember that even if Kespa were to cease to exist, there's nothing stopping Blizzard of Afreeca from banning Life from the GSL or any WCS events.
What would happen if he competes outside of Korea? e.g. gets invited and attends a HomeStory cup?
Well there are issues with that too. Life is a convicted criminal, which makes any overseas travel difficult due to visa restrictions. Plus it's possible Life may have had his passport revoked.
Secondly there's nothing stopping tournament organizers like HSC, ShoutCraft, BaseTrade, or any other events from banning Life. It's their events and they can do whatever the hell they want.
On November 12 2017 16:22 SuperFanBoy wrote: Is there a chance of Life coming back now? What needs to happen to get Life competing in sc2?
- Kespa needs to cease to exist (extremely unlikely) - Blizzard would have to potentially reinstate Life (highly unlikely) - Afreeca/GSL would have to potentially reinstate Life (also unlikely) - The koreans fans and players would have to welcome Life back (exceedingly unlikely)
Remember that even if Kespa were to cease to exist, there's nothing stopping Blizzard of Afreeca from banning Life from the GSL or any WCS events.
What would happen if he competes outside of Korea? e.g. gets invited and attends a HomeStory cup?
Well there are issues with that too. Life is a convicted criminal, which makes any overseas travel difficult due to visa restrictions. Plus it's possible Life may have had his passport revoked.
Secondly there's nothing stopping tournament organizers like HSC, ShoutCraft, BaseTrade, or any other events from banning Life. It's their events and they can do whatever the hell they want.
On top of that, tournaments that consider including Life will risk being boycotted by other players, especially Korean players. Plus, they also risk sponsors pulling out due to not wanting to be associated with a convicted matchfixer.
On November 13 2017 23:46 GTR wrote: honestly this is starting to sound like him being a political scumbag than kespa actually being evil more than anything
It's hard to draw the line between the individual and the organization. Who's to say 'KeSPA' didn't benefit from having an influential politician at its head, and tacitly went along his abuses of power?
On a related note, it's interesting how KeSPA has somewhat defended Mr. Jun in its public statements, even though he seems totally dead in the water. I wonder when KeSPA will change their stance, expunge all of Mr. Jun's cronies, and try to play the victim while rebuilding their image.
On November 12 2017 16:22 SuperFanBoy wrote: Is there a chance of Life coming back now? What needs to happen to get Life competing in sc2?
- Kespa needs to cease to exist (extremely unlikely) - Blizzard would have to potentially reinstate Life (highly unlikely) - Afreeca/GSL would have to potentially reinstate Life (also unlikely) - The koreans fans and players would have to welcome Life back (exceedingly unlikely)
Remember that even if Kespa were to cease to exist, there's nothing stopping Blizzard of Afreeca from banning Life from the GSL or any WCS events.
What would happen if he competes outside of Korea? e.g. gets invited and attends a HomeStory cup?
Well there are issues with that too. Life is a convicted criminal, which makes any overseas travel difficult due to visa restrictions. Plus it's possible Life may have had his passport revoked.
Secondly there's nothing stopping tournament organizers like HSC, ShoutCraft, BaseTrade, or any other events from banning Life. It's their events and they can do whatever the hell they want.
tl;dr: is still that the former chairman of KeSPA Jun Byung-Hun, who is also a politician, is being investigated for receiving bribes from a TV homeshopping business in return for political favors. The bribes were received in the form of a sponsorship for the 2015 KeSPA Cup tournament (2nd season), of which a third of the money was embezzled and laundered. Mr. Jun has not been directly charged, but Korean investigators have slowly tightened the net by apprehending and questioning the people around him, including current KeSPA officials.
Ex-chairman Jun was brought in for direct questioning by investigators, where he denied any personal involvement in wrongdoing. No updates on any of the principle charges; just that the prosecutors finally have the primary suspect in their hands.
I'd totally forgotten about this particular scandal. There seems to be an endless chain of esports/esports-related scandals to keep track of. I'm just waiting for Azubu (or I guess they're called Smashcast now) to make a comeback on the money laundering front.
On February 22 2019 23:19 Harris1st wrote: E-sports: Already causing scandals on an olympic level. The olympic comitee should reconsider
I don't know how serious you were being, but there's actually some connection here. Mr. Jun was also the chairman of the IeSF, an international esports group centered in Korea which appeared to have ambitions of becoming an IOC-esque body for esports in the future (they quietly held many Olympics-style events).
On February 22 2019 23:19 Harris1st wrote: E-sports: Already causing scandals on an olympic level. The olympic comitee should reconsider
If anything it should serve as a stamp of approval. Virtually every single major sports organization is rampant with corruption. Now they can see that esports is just like them, yay!
EPT
