▲ Lee Yong-kyu, First-Team Hitting Coach and Playing Coach
Lee Yong-kyu, a playing coach for the Kiwoom Heroes professional baseball team, has retired in disgrace following a drunk driving accident.
In a press release issued today (June 12), the Kiwoom club stated, "Coach Lee Yong-kyu expressed his intention to end his professional career, taking full responsibility for his actions, and the club has accepted his resignation."
The club added, "Coach Lee is deeply reflecting on his wrongdoing without making any excuses regarding this incident," and noted, "He has also conveyed his intention to cooperate fully with the investigation by relevant authorities."
"He also expressed his apologies to the victims of the accident and stated that he would take full responsibility for their recovery," the club added.
Furthermore, the Kiwoom club stated, "We sincerely apologize to the fans and all those involved in the league for failing to prevent a drunk driving incident involving a member of our organization."
Coach Lee was driving his car under the influence of alcohol at approximately 6:25 a.m. today on a six-lane road in Acheon-dong, Guri, Gyeonggi Province, when the accident occurred.
According to the police, Lee was driving straight through a red light when he struck a car that was making a U-turn in accordance with a U-turn signal.
Following the impact, Lee's vehicle subsequently struck the rear of a patrol car that was parked on the shoulder of the road before coming to a stop.
It was reported that Lee's blood alcohol concentration, measured by police immediately after the accident, was at a level warranting the revocation of his driver's license.
The Guri Police Station in Gyeonggi Province has booked Lee without detention on charges including drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act.
Lee Yong-kyu debuted with the LG Twins in 2004, played for the KIA Tigers and Hanwha Eagles, and transferred to Kiwoom in 2021.
He appeared in 2,035 KBO League games, recording a batting average of .295 and 2,140 hits, establishing himself as one of the league's top contact hitters.
He also served as a long-time table-setter for the national team, contributing to the team's gold medal victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He was appointed as a playing coach in April of last year and took on the role of player and first-team hitting coach last month.
Lee had planned to conclude his playing career on a high note after the end of this season, but he has instead retired in disgrace due to his inappropriate conduct.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.