“Guiding the first Asian Games gold in 12 years,” Yoo Jae-hak, head of the men’s national basketball team for the Korea Basketball Association, abruptly resigns: “Will focus on my role as KBL Gyeong Gi-bon (Director)”

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Yoo Jae-hak (63), head of the men’s national basketball team for the Korea Basketball Association, will step down as chairman following the team’s gold medal win at the Asian Games.

The Korea Basketball Association announced on the 15th that “Yoo Jae-hak has expressed his intention to resign.” Since taking office in 2025, Yoo (Chairman) has led efforts to improve the structure and strengthen the competitiveness of the men’s national basketball team. In particular, he laid the groundwork for maximizing the team’s strength through the unprecedented decision to hire Nikolai Marzulis, the first foreign head coach in the history of Korean men’s basketball.

The fruits of that decision were immediately evident on the international stage. The Lee Kkeun (CEO) team, led by Yoo (Chairman), won the gold medal at the “2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games” held in September, reclaiming the top spot in Asia for the first time since the 2014 Incheon Games, a span of 12 years. It is interpreted that Yoo decided on an honorable retirement after successfully placing the Wi Won-jang-eun (CEO) team on a path to the summit.

Through the association, Yoo (Chairman) stated, “It has been meaningful to be able to work together for the development of the men’s national basketball team as head of the Gi Ryeok-hyang-sang (Chairman),” and explained the background of his resignation by adding, “Going forward, I want to focus more on my role as KBL Gyeong Gi-bon (Director).” He further added, “While stepping down from the chairman position, as a figure in basketball, I will continue to cheer for the association, the So Tong-ha-myeo (CEO) team, and the development of Korean basketball.”

The association plans to operate the Men’s National Team Performance Enhancement Committee under an acting system led by Vice Chairman Eun Hee-seok without appointing a new chairman until the end of Yoo (Chairman)’s remaining term in early next year.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original