In his New Year's address delivered via online video on the 4th of last month, Chung Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group, urged employees to "let go of the past inertia of 'fighting unwinnable battles' and make this year 'a year of certain victory'." / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Jeong Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group, which recently acquired the SK Wyverns, has personally stepped forward to communicate with baseball fans.
On the night of the 27th, Vice Chairman Jeong revealed specific details related to the baseball team through the voice chat social networking service (SNS) "Clubhouse."
According to what Vice Chairman Jeong disclosed on SNS, the Shinsegae baseball team plans to announce the team name around next week. Candidates included Whales, Panthers, Marines, Boosters, among others, and it was decided to choose something that immediately comes to mind when thinking of Incheon. Jeong added that the team name was decided with a focus on the airport.
He also stated that the team colors are not yellow, the representative color of Shinsegae Group’s Emart, but rather the red color of Shinsegae Group. He revealed plans to open Starbucks and No Brand Burger outlets in the baseball stadium.
Vice Chairman Jeong is considering building a dome stadium instead of a theme park in Cheongna, Incheon, and shared his plan to personally purchase a uniform once it is released, engraving his name on it and wearing the number "24," symbolizing Emart24.
Regarding the background of acquiring the baseball team, he explained, "I acquired it because I like baseball and want to wear a championship ring," adding that the fact that SK Wyverns finished 9th last season was also a factor in the acquisition.
He further stated, "Even finishing 8th would be good. If our team finishes 10th, I will pay a fine. I will buy a meal for the people in the Clubhouse room."
He could not hide his envy toward NC Dinos, the unified champions last season. Vice Chairman Jeong responded enthusiastically to the fact that Kim Taek-jin, CEO and owner of NC Dinos, is nicknamed "Taekjin hyung" (Brother Taekjin) among baseball fans and gamers, saying it would be fine to call him "Yongjin hyung" (Brother Yongjin) as well.
Additionally, Vice Chairman Jeong revealed plans to throw the first pitch if the team achieves 10 consecutive wins and to appear on baseball broadcasts, expressing his commitment to the newly launched baseball team.
Meanwhile, Shinsegae Group acquired SK Wyverns and will participate in professional baseball starting this season. Recently, they attracted attention by signing player Choo Shin-soo from Major League Baseball in the United States.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
