Abstract
The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League is a sports culture that Koreans love and enjoy most. However, the launch of the KBO League is related to political issues in Korea. The purpose of this study is to explain the launch history of the KBO league through a sociopolitical approach. The history of the KBO league was explained by applying a complex paradigm that explains sociocultural phenomena from a new perspective. This study used historical analysis, a qualitative study approach. Literature related to Korean professional baseball, complex system theory, sports, and politics were reviewed. This study introduces the characteristics and theory of the complex system paradigm and analyzes the history of the KBO League based on this theory. The edge of chaos, bifurcation point, positive feedback, emergence of the theory of complex system are used as elements of an overall theoretical framework to analyze the history and development of the KBO league. The study results are explained in four frameworks. First, the KBO was launched on the edge of chaos, or in the midst of social chaos provoked by Chun Doo-Hwan, who seized power through a military coup. Second, the Chun Doo-Hwan regime launched the professional baseball league to divert the public’s attention from politics to sports and provided support to construct baseball fields as venues for the national pastime. The Chun Doo-Hwan regime’s appeasement policy became a bifurcation point, which promoted the launch of the professional baseball league. Third, from the viewpoint of the complex system paradigm, the launch of the Korean baseball league was enabled by the positive feedback of the Korea professional baseball promotion committee, established in 1975 under the initiative of Korean American businessman Hong Yoon-Hee. Fourth, the Korean professional baseball league led to the emergence of the consumption culture of professional sports, and it became a national leisure and a crucial part of Korea’s sports culture. In terms of sociopolitical, the KBO League started in the dark of Korean society, but it is becoming a vitality for Korean sports culture and health.
Highlights
IntroductionWith the catchphrase of “sports that provide dream and hope to children, romance to the youth, and a pastime activity for the people”, the Korean professional baseball league was launched on March 27, 1982, with the establishment of six professional teams; subsequently increased to 10
In modern times, countries have actively organized sports
We apply the theory of complex system to investigate the launch of the Korean professional baseball league and its development into a national pastime from the perspective of the complex system paradigm
Summary
With the catchphrase of “sports that provide dream and hope to children, romance to the youth, and a pastime activity for the people”, the Korean professional baseball league was launched on March 27, 1982, with the establishment of six professional teams; subsequently increased to 10. In 2019, the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League surpassed an accumulated number of 162 million spectators, and it has become a major part of Korea’s national leisure and sports culture [1]. When the postseason of the KBO League starts, open-air channels broadcast baseball games instead of soap dramas, entertainment programs, or news. This demonstrates the profound impact of professional baseball in Korea [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
