[2025 Inspection] KBO Faces Controversy Over Inviting Former Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon to Korean Series

During the National Assembly Inspection of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on October 27, criticism was raised regarding the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) inviting former Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon to the first game of the Korean Series.

Park Suhyun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out during the inspection that "former Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon was sentenced to two years in prison for ordering the creation of a blacklist in the cultural sector and excluding individuals from government support." He further stated, "The KBO's official invitation of Kim Ki-choon as a VIP to the first game of the Korean Series demonstrates a lack of social awareness."

Park Suhyun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning at the 2025 National Assembly Inspection of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The KBO invites former commissioners as VIPs to the Korean Series every year. Kim Ki-choon served as the 8th KBO commissioner from 1995 to 1996, and attended the first game of the Korean Series between the LG Twins and the Hanwha Eagles at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on October 26, at the KBO's invitation.

Park Suhyun called on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to require an official apology from the KBO and to establish guidelines prohibiting protocol and invitations for individuals with social responsibility issues.

The KBO also faced criticism regarding the use of business promotion expenses by KBO Commissioner Heo Koo-yeon.

Kim Jaewon, a member of the Innovation Party for the Fatherland, stated, "Commissioner Heo Koo-yeon made payments totaling 5.48 million won at a specific bakery in Seocho-gu, Seoul, from October last year to June this year, and purchased coffee prepaid cards worth 23.1 million won with a corporate card from September last year to August this year." He criticized this as "a clear case of misappropriation of public funds." Kim Jaewon also pointed out, "Commissioner Heo has made 19 overseas business trips since 2022, which is overwhelmingly more than professional basketball (5 trips) and professional volleyball (1 trip)."

KBO Secretary-General Park Geun-chan explained, "The coffee cards were distributed to encourage employees and as gifts for holidays, while the cookie sets were provided as gifts to baseball veterans and overseas guests."