![Kiwoom Heroes coach Lee Yong-kyu. [Newsis]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/12/news-p.v1.20260612.fef1b285fd244a8ab3ba622b516b85da_P1.jpg)
Lee Yong-kyu, a coach for the Kiwoom Heroes professional baseball club, has retired in disgrace after causing a drunk-driving accident.
The Heroes issued a statement Friday apologizing "sincerely to our fans and league officials for failing to prevent a drunk-driving incident by one of our members" and outlining the steps the club was taking.
The club said Lee "acknowledged his wrongdoing without making any excuses and is reflecting deeply on his actions," adding that he had expressed his intention "to take full responsibility and bring his professional career to a close," a decision the club accepted.
The Heroes also said they would "further strengthen education and oversight for all members to prevent a recurrence and do their utmost to ensure no similar incident takes place."
According to police, Lee was driving drunk around 6:25 a.m. Friday on a six-lane road in Acheon-dong, Guri, Gyeonggi Province, when he collided with a vehicle making a U-turn from the opposite direction. The impact pushed Lee's car into a police cruiser.
His blood alcohol level, measured immediately after the accident, exceeded the threshold for license revocation. The driver of the U-turning vehicle and a police officer in the patrol car were both injured in the crash.
choigo@heraldcorp.com
