[News Figure] Who Is Ryu Seon-gyu, the SSG Director Who Suddenly Resigned?

SK Wyverns' Last General Manager and SSG Landers' First GM
Fans Request Explanation from Team After Sudden Resignation Amid Active Career

On the 8th, at the 2022 Nutri Day Ilgu Award ceremony held at the Riviera Hotel in Seoul, Ryu Seon-gyu, former director of SSG Landers (right), received the Front Award and posed for a photo. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunjung Lee]

Former general manager Ryu Seon-gyu (52), who led the SSG Landers to an overall championship in this year's professional baseball, suddenly resigned two days ago, sparking controversy. Former GM Ryu was the driving force behind the contract renewal with SSG Landers manager Kim Won-hyung, as well as leading the contracts with foreign players and free agents (FA), and the formation of the 2023 coaching staff. He was actively working as the general manager after the season, even receiving the Front Office Award at the '2022 Nutri Day Ilgu Award' ceremony on the 8th, so his resignation was unexpected.

Ryu first gained fame through posts he wrote in a PC communication baseball club during his university days. This reportedly reached the team president, leading to an offer from the LG team to recruit him. He started as an LG Twins staff member in 1997 and moved to SK Wyverns, the predecessor of SSG, in 2001, where he held positions such as head of the marketing planning team, head of public relations, head of development team, head of strategic planning team, and head of data analysis group.

Recognized for his extensive experience across the front office, he was appointed general manager in November 2020. He then built the coaching staff with key figures who led SK’s golden era, including manager Kim Won-hyung, bench coach Jo Won-woo, head coach Kim Min-jae, and pitching coach Jo Woong-cheon, laying the foundation for success. He also secured multi-year contracts for core players such as Park Jong-hoon, Moon Seung-won, Han Yoo-seom, and Kim Kwang-hyun as non-free agents.

Former GM Ryu is regarded as a key figure who laid the groundwork for SSG to win the regular season championship wire-to-wire without ever relinquishing first place, and ultimately capture the Korean Series title for an overall championship this year. The SSG team won the Korean Series in just its second year since establishment, and the regular season championship was the first in 12 years since 2010, including the SK Wyverns era. It is rare for someone like former GM Ryu, who started as a baseball enthusiast, became a team staff member, rose to general manager, and experienced a championship.

Fans are raising suspicions of a 'behind-the-scenes power' regarding former GM Ryu’s sudden resignation and are demanding explanations. On the Instagram account of team owner Chung Yong-jin, who regularly interacts with SSG fans, questions from fans are pouring in. The SSG team has yet to release an official statement. On the 14th, SSG Landers announced the appointment of Kim Seong-yong (52), head of the Futures (2nd team) R&D Center, as the new general manager.