![Korea Baseball Organization Commissioner Heo Gu-yeon (second from left) takes part in a campaign against ticket scalping in front of the main ticket booth at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on Oct. 14. Also pictured, from left: KBO Talent Development Committee Chairman Jo Gye-hyeon, Songpa Police Station Chief Kim Sang-hyeong and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official Park Hyo-pil. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/10/24/rcv.YNA.20261014.PYH2026101422910003400_P1.jpg)
Korea Baseball Organization Commissioner Heo Gu-yeon appears set to win a third consecutive term after his only potential rival withdrew from the race.
Lee Jong-hoon, former chairman of the Korea Baseball Softball Association, informed the KBO secretariat Friday that he would not seek the commissioner's post. The secretariat subsequently notified all 10 professional baseball clubs of his decision.
The KBO and its 10 member clubs launched the process to select the next commissioner earlier this month, ahead of Heo's term expiring at the end of this year.
The deadline for clubs to nominate candidates closed Tuesday, with Lee having received nominations from clubs in the greater Seoul area.
With Lee out of the race, Heo is now expected to run unopposed.
Under KBO rules, the commissioner is recommended by the board of directors — composed of the presidents of the professional clubs — with the support of at least three-quarters of sitting directors. The candidate is then elected at the general assembly by the same three-quarters majority of members.
The KBO is expected to hold a board of directors meeting next week to complete the nomination process for the next commissioner.
soohan@heraldcorp.com
