Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Lee Jong-beom to join former boss at Eagles
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Former Kia Tigers star player Lee Jong-beom signed a 50 million won ($44,000) one-year-deal with the Hanwha Eagles Wednesday to become their base coach.
Under new manager Kim Eung-ryong’s leadership, the 42-year-old is expected to pass on his know-how to help the players after the club finished bottom of the league.
“I came to the Eagles, called by my old teacher Kim,” Lee said. “The first thing that I’m going to do is learn about the players by talking to them. Then, I will focus on passing on my knowledge and know-how to them.”
This isn’t the first time Lee has worked for Kim. As a rookie with the Haitai Tigers in 1993, Kim was Lee’s manager and the team went on to win the Korea Series that year. Before joining Japan’s Chunichi Dragons in 1998, they won two more championships together with the Tigers in 1996 and 1997.
Lee was one of the top players in Korean baseball. When he retired on May 26, calling time on a 34-year career, the newly-hired coach had appeared in 1,706 games. He recorded 1,797 hits, 194 home runs, 730 RBIs and 510 stolen bases for a .297 batting average.
Pinning their hope on Kim and Lee, the 1999 Korean Series winners are aiming to bounce back from this year’s poor finish next season.
Former Eagles boss Han Dae-hwa resigned in August but many speculate he was forced out because of the team’s poor performance.
Heroes name new manager
The Nexen Heroes appointed their third base coach Yeom Kyung-yup as new manager Wednesday in place of Kim Si-jin.
The Heroes signed a three-year deal with the 44-year-old worth 200 million won ($179,000) per season plus a 200 million won signing bonus despite Yeom having no prior managerial experience in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
“I’m really grateful that the team has given me this great opportunity. I know that it will be challenging, regarding what Kim Si-jin (did for the club), but I will try my best.” Yeom said. “I think the most important thing at this point is reorganizing the coaching staff as soon as possible.”
From 1991, Yeom played 10 seasons in the KBO as infielder at the Taepyungyang Dolphins, which changed their name to the Hyundai Unicorns under new ownership in 1996. After ending his playing career, Yeom became a defensive coach for the Unicorns in 2007. He then moved to the LG Twins in 2008 and coached there for three years before joining the Heroes this year.
Yeom’s coaching skills have been recognized as the Heroes led the league in steals, finishing this year with a league-high 179 from the worst total of 99 last season.
The Heroes’ sudden rise at the beginning of this campaign, with a lead from May 23 to 25, took many fans by surprise as they finished bottom last year. The acid test for Yeom will be whether he can keep the team winning throughout the season. The Heroes wrapped up the first half of the season third but dropped to sixth by the end with 61 wins, 3 draws and 69 losses.
“We do not want to be called a dark horse from next year," Yeom said. "I will build a strong team with great strategies and teamwork.”