Former Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo. [Yonhap]
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo. [Yonhap]

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo said the Samsung Lions' Korean Series title — their first in 12 years — marks "a time for the club to regroup."

Hong made the remarks Monday in a Facebook post congratulating the Lions on their championship. "All the players did well, but I want to express my gratitude to Park Seung-gyu, Jang Chan-hui and Lee Seung-min, who delivered outstanding performances relative to their salaries," he wrote, singling out the three as unsung heroes of the run.

He called on the club to cut loose underperforming players while rewarding the trio. "I hope the team parts ways with those who don't pull their weight and gives Park Seung-gyu, Jang Chan-hui and Lee Seung-min major salary increases so they can become core contributors," he said.

Hong also expressed hope for the development of Kim Sang-jun and power hitter Lee Chang-yong, and offered a swing tip for another player. "Kim Heon-gon's swing is too stiff — if he smooths it out like Gu Ja-uk's, he could soar again next year," he said.

He went on to say that Kim Seong-yun, already outstanding, could become a .400 hitter next year if he adopted a level swing like Kim Ji-chan's.

Hong closed by turning his attention to soccer, saying the only thing left now is Daegu FC's promotion to the top flight. "I'm looking forward to Daegu FC's strong finish," he added.

Earlier, Hong had written on Facebook in August that he was "living these days for the joy of watching Samsung baseball."

The Samsung Lions clinched the title Sunday, routing the kt wiz 12-1 in Game 5 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Korean Series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu.

The Lions won four straight after dropping the opener to claim the Korean Series trophy for the first time since 2014.

It was Samsung's ninth championship overall, including a combined first- and second-half title in 1985, and the first title celebration at Lions Park, which opened in March 2016.

Samsung had finished second in the regular season this year, becoming the first team since the SK Wyverns — now the SSG Landers, who finished second that year — to win the Korean Series without topping the regular-season standings, ending an eight-year streak of regular-season leaders claiming the title.

The kt wiz, chasing their first combined regular-season and Korean Series double in five years and second overall, could not contain Samsung's momentum and had to settle for the runner-up spot.


yul@heraldcorp.com