Riot Games Korea has generously donated five unmanned ticketing machines to Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace in an effort to enhance the visitor experience at this renowned cultural heritage site in South Korea.
The donation was commemorated with a ceremony on March 17th at Gyeongbokgung in Seoul’s Jongno-gu district, in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Administration. The new machines have replaced older units at the palace’s Gwanghwamun ticket office, where the increasing number of visitors had led to wear and tear, malfunctions, and higher maintenance costs. This upgrade is expected to reduce wait times and enhance convenience for visitors.
Visitor numbers at Gyeongbokgung have seen a significant rise in recent years, with 3.38 million in 2022, 5.57 million in 2023, and 6.44 million in 2024. Riot Games, known for titles like League of Legends and VALORANT, had previously supported the replacement of ticketing machines at Changdeokgung in 2024.
In a statement, Riot Games Korea CEO Hyukjin Cho expressed, “Gyeongbokgung is a cultural heritage site that is widely visited by citizens and tourists. We believe that the donation of unmanned ticketing machines will enhance visitor convenience.
“It is particularly meaningful that these efforts were made possible through the support of players who have a passion for Riot Games’ titles. We are committed to continuing our efforts in cultural heritage preservation.”
Riot Games’ involvement in heritage conservation in Korea dates back to 2012 when it entered into a preservation agreement with the Cultural Heritage Administration. Since then, the company has contributed to various projects, including the acquisition and return of cultural assets, the preservation and utilization of royal artifacts and palaces, and educational initiatives for youth focused on cultural heritage.
Riot Games Korea’s cumulative donations had reached ₩10bn by 2025, establishing it as the largest contributor from the private sector to South Korea’s cultural heritage protection sponsorship program, as stated in the release.
This donation further solidifies Riot Games’ presence in South Korea, where it has maintained strong ties to gaming and esports. In addition to managing games like League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and VALORANT, Riot Games had previously hosted the 2023 League of Legends World Championship in Korea.
In recent years, Riot has expanded its reach beyond gaming into entertainment realms such as music, comics, publishing, and television, notably with the animated series Arcane.