Esports organization Dplus KIA has officially admitted and apologized for failing to pay salaries to its players across all divisions.

Since its inception as DAMWON Gaming in 2017, Dplus KIA has established itself as one of the country's most prominent esports clubs, winning multiple domestic and international titles while expanding into various disciplines. However, the club is now mired in a severe financial crisis, with reports surfacing that all players have been left without pay for up to two months.

In an official statement released on the 16th, the club confirmed that the wage arrears are factual. The club explained that it is currently in the midst of a sale process to find a new owner to drive future growth. According to the club, the temporary liquidity crisis was caused by administrative delays while navigating negotiations with professional advisory firms.

The club claims that it had proactively informed the players and sought their understanding before the situation escalated. The club stated that all staff members feel a deep sense of responsibility and are taking the matter very seriously. The club has pledged to settle all outstanding payments as soon as possible and normalize operations so that the players can focus entirely on competing, while also aiming to wrap up the ongoing sale to rebuild a stable foundation.

The high salary overheads are being pointed to as a primary driver of this crisis. Even after filling most of its League of Legends roster with rookies—save for the core players—the club's payroll is estimated to be in the region of 3 billion KRW, a figure that appears to have become unsustainable. Rumors of a crisis have been circulating among fans and industry insiders for years, and the reality finally surfaced following recent staff departures and testimonies from those close to the team.