Yang Jun-hyuk, known as "Yang-shin," chair of the Yang Jun-hyuk Baseball Foundation, decided to step down from serving as a special adviser to Lee Cheol-woo, a preliminary candidate for North Gyeongsang governor.
Lee Cheol-woo, a preliminary candidate for North Gyeongsang governor, said on the 14th that he and Yang agreed to terminate the appointment.
Earlier, Lee Cheol-woo had appointed Yang as a special adviser for maritime and fisheries policy to consult on strategies to modernize and develop high value-added industries in the East Sea coastal maritime and fisheries sector. After finishing his playing career with the Samsung Lions of professional baseball, Yang has been running a large-scale fish farm in Guryongpo, Pohang, North Gyeongsang.
However, after news broke that Yang would serve as a special adviser to Lee, some interpreted it as Yang seeking to enter politics. Yang later explained that he had merely lent his name and had no plans to enter politics.
Yang said, "An acquaintance I knew well asked if they could use my name, and I carelessly allowed it," adding, "I have absolutely no intention of entering politics now or in the future, nor of engaging in related activities."
Amid significant discomfort over the rumors of Yang entering politics, the controversy appears likely to subside with the termination of the appointment with Lee.
Lee's campaign said, "Some media outlets reported this appointment as a move into politics, which created considerable pressure and led to a situation that also hindered his broadcasting activities."
Lee also decided to terminate the appointment of Lee Tae-hyun, a Yong In University professor who had been appointed alongside Yang as a special adviser for culture and tourism policy.
Lee said, "Both individuals were merely offering advice out of genuine affection for the development of the region and their hometown, but it is regrettable that this was misunderstood as political activity," adding, "As remarkable stars produced by our region, I hope they will continue to receive even greater love from the public and shine a light on their hometown."