Seoul: Headed toward their third consecutive last-place finish in South Korean baseball, the Kiwoom Heroes fired their manager, bench coach, and general manager (GM) on Monday. The Heroes announced the dismissal of manager Hong Won-ki, who was in the final year of his three-year contract, and bench coach Kim Chang-hyun. Ko Hyung-wook was also let go as GM.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Heroes ended the first half of the 2025 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season in last place among 10 clubs with a 27-61-3 record (wins-losses-ties), marking a .307 winning percentage. Despite their last-place finishes in both 2023 and 2024, the team had previously managed to win over 40 percent of their games.
The Heroes have appointed their minor league skipper, Seol Jong-jin, as the interim manager for the remainder of the season, while the bench coach position will remain vacant for now. Ko, who served as GM in two separate stints, will be succeeded by Huh Seung-pil, the former head of baseball operations.
Huh, 44, began his career in the front office with the Hanwha Eagles in 2011, initially working in the marketing department. He later transitioned to international affairs within the Eagles' baseball operations department before joining the Heroes in 2016. Huh has been involved in scouting foreign players and managing posting procedures for Heroes players aspiring to move to Major League Baseball. He was promoted to head of baseball operations in 2022.
"It is with a huge sense of responsibility that I am taking over at this difficult juncture," Huh stated. "I will do everything I can to overhaul our ball club and help us take the next step."