The Lotte Giants announced on Oct. 24 that they will not renew manager Kim Tae-hyung. The team finished seventh in all three of his seasons, and no successor has been named.
A contract that simply ran out
On Oct. 24 Lotte announced that Kim Tae-hyung's three-year contract had expired and would not be renewed. Head coach Kang Seok-cheon is leaving too. Edaily reported that Kim was told on Oct. 23, 11 days after the season ended.
Jemin Ilbo carried the same news and described it as a chance to reset the team's direction.
Seventh place, three years running
Lotte brought Kim in during October 2023 on a three-year, 2.4 billion won deal, hoping for the leadership that took Doosan to seven straight Korean Series.
The results were 66-74-4 in 2024, 66-72-6 in 2025 and 64-77-3 in 2026, always seventh. Lotte has now missed the postseason nine years in a row.
Who comes next is still open
As the decision dragged on, names of possible successors kept circulating. On the claim that Takatsu Shingo turned down an offer, the club said it never made one.
Lotte says the selection process is under way and it will announce the pick once decided. Its closing camp starts Nov. 4 and general manager Park Jun-hyuk's contract ends next month, so time is short.
Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium, Lotte's home, full of fans (taken July 2008; not a photo of this announcement). Photo by Cheolstar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
