Former head coach of the Daegu Korea Gas Corporation in professional basketball, Yoo Yoo-hoon, responded to the club’s recent termination of his contract, saying that it “seriously damaged my honor” and that he plans to decide what to do in the future.
“Recently, the company unilaterally notified me of the termination of my contract ahead of the season,” Yoo claimed in a statement distributed to media outlets on April 4, “seriously damaging my reputation and giving me unacceptable reasons for the termination.”
“I plan to carefully consider the company’s reasons for terminating my contract and what to do about the notice,” Yoo added.
KOGAS acquired the Incheon Electronic Land professional basketball team ahead of the 2021-2022 season, and Yoo, the former head coach of the E-Land, remained in charge at KOGAS.
After leading the new team for two seasons, Yoo had one year left on his contract, but KOGAS announced in a press release on Jan. 1 that it was terminating his contract, as well as those of general manager Shin Hyun-woo, assistant coach Lee Min-hyung, and head coach Kim Seung-hwan.
All four were still under contract with the club, but KOGAS reportedly refused to pay their remaining salaries.
In particular, KOGAS acquired the professional basketball team under former president Chae Hee-bong, and all four players, Chae, Shin Seung-woo, Lee Min-hyung, and Yoo Yoo-hoon, were involved in a “hakyeon controversy” after leaving Yongsan Go.스포츠토토
Since the regime change, President Choi Yeon-hye, a former lawmaker in the ruling People’s Power Party, took office in December last year, and the basketball team’s reshuffle is seen by many as a sign of a major shakeup.
In his statement, Yoo said, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who took over the E-Land Basketball Team in a difficult environment for the development of professional basketball, both as a coach and as a basketball player. I will carefully consider and respond to the allegations and situations that have been raised so far so that I will not be ashamed of my life as a basketball player for 30 years.”
KOGAS has appointed Coach Kang Hyuk as acting head coach to prepare for the 2023-2024 season.