"Ruler" JaeHyuk Park Addresses Tax Controversy: "I Did Not Intentionally Conceal Income"
by Kim Hyunjeong2
Published 04 Apr.2026 14:35(KST)
Father’s Labor Costs Not Recognized as Necessary Expenses
Stock Name Trust Resolved Through Payment of Gift Tax
Pro gamer JaeHyuk Park, known as "Ruler" (28), has become embroiled in a tax avoidance controversy, and he personally stated, "I have never intentionally concealed or hidden my income."
In a post on his social media account on April 2, Park said, "I apologize to my fans for causing concern due to recent reports about taxes," and added, "I would like to address the matter directly." He continued, "First of all, I want to make it clear that I have never intentionally tried to conceal or hide my income," explaining, "Two issues occurred while managing my assets."
Park explained, "Since 2018, my father left his job and took on the role of my personal manager, supporting me full-time." He added, "This was before the introduction of the official agency system, and from my trainee days, my father has solely handled practical agent work such as scheduling outside matches, team contracts, and matters related to university admission. I claimed the labor costs for his activities as necessary expenses, but the National Tax Service did not recognize them." He expressed respect for the National Tax Service’s decision and stated that he would comply with their ruling.
He also addressed the issue of stock held under another person’s name, which became a problem. He said, "This was also not for the purpose of gifting or tax avoidance," adding, "Due to my lack of experience in asset management, I asked my father to handle it for me, but this was still my mistake." He continued, "I have paid all the related gift taxes in full, and all of the shares have been returned to my own name."
Previously, the National Tax Service Tax Tribunal released a related decision on March 26. From 2018 to 2021, Park appointed his father as his manager, paid him a salary, and entrusted him with annual salary contracts and administrative work. Park’s father invested the salary and prize money he received into stocks, earning capital gains and dividend income.
The National Tax Service considered the money Park paid to his father as expenses unrelated to his work and imposed comprehensive income tax. In addition, stocks traded under his father’s name were deemed as transactions under borrowed names (name trusts) for the purpose of tax avoidance, and both gift tax and dividend income tax were imposed. Park appealed, claiming that his father’s labor costs should be considered necessary business expenses, but this was not accepted by the tax tribunal.
As the facts came to light belatedly and controversy grew, the agency Supergent explained, "This is personal property on which 100% of the income tax has already been paid," and described the situation as "an administrative oversight that occurred in the process of asset management." They further stated, "His father left his job from Park’s trainee days and has been fully responsible for supporting and managing his assets," and clarified, "Considering the limitations of banking services, the assets were entrusted in his father’s name purely for management purposes, with absolutely no intention of gifting."
According to the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) regulations, if an investigation by the tax authorities is underway, a player may be subject to sanctions such as suspension from participation. If Park receives a severe penalty such as suspension from matches, it is expected to significantly impact the team’s performance. Park is a core player for Gen.G. He also received a military service exemption by winning a gold medal in the League of Legends (LoL) event at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Park stated, "I will take full responsibility for this matter," and added, "I will sincerely cooperate with the league’s review on matters related to the LCK. In the future, I will operate all aspects of asset management with greater transparency and thoroughness."
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