SOUTH KOREA – Doosan Bears’ slugger Kim Dong-joo remained the highest-paid player in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), according to figures released by the league on Monday. A total of 110 Korean-born players will earn more than 100 million won ($85,000) in 2010.

Kim, the Bears hard-hitting third baseman, tops the list with an annual salary of 700 million won ($595,000). Lotte Giants pitcher Son Min-han and Samsung Lions shortstop Park Jin-man are tied for the second spot with salaries of 600 million won ($510,000) apiece.

The average player salary this upcoming season in the KBO, not including rookies and non-Koreans, rose three percent from 2009 to 87 million won ($73,000).

2010 KBO HIGHEST-PAID PLAYERS
$595,000 – Kim Dong-joo, Doosan Bears
$510,000 – Son Min-han, Lotte Giants
$510,000 – Park Jin-man, Samsung Lions
$459,000 – Lee Jin-young, LG Twins
$425,000 – Park Kyung-oan, SK Wyverns
$425,000 – Lee Ho-jun, SK Wyverns
$425,000 – Kim Jae-hyun, SK Wyverns
$425,000 – Park Myung-hwan, LG Twins

Rookie players will earn the minimum salary of 24 million won ($21,000), while foreign players will draw an annual salary of up to $300,000.

Reigning KBO Most Valuable Player Kim Sang-hyun received a 361.5 percent pay raise from 52 million ($44,500) won to 240 million ($204,000). The Kia Tigers third baseman topped the league in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage last season.

Photo courtesy of True Stories of Korean Baseball

Tags: South Korea