The Hanwha Eagles have signed franchise slugger Roh Si-hwan to the longest and largest contract in Korean professional baseball history.
Hanwha announced on January 23 that the non-free agent multi-year deal runs 11 years from the 2027 through 2037 seasons, with a total value of 30.7 billion won ($21 million) including options.
"This is the longest and largest contract in KBO League history, encompassing both FA and non-FA multi-year contracts," the team said.
The agreement includes a posting clause allowing Roh to pursue opportunities in Major League Baseball after the 2026 season. Both parties agreed that any overseas move would be limited to MLB and that Roh would return to the Hanwha franchise if he comes back to the KBO League.
The deal pushes Roh past Choi Jeong of the SSG Landers, who held the previous record for career multi-year contract earnings at 30.2 billion won accumulated through three separate FA contracts in 2015, 2019, and 2025. Roh surpassed that total with a single contract.
The 11-year term also sets a new KBO record. The previous longest contracts were eight-year deals signed by Park Min-woo with the NC Dinos in 2022 and by Ryu Hyun-jin upon his return to Hanwha in 2024.
Drafted third overall in the first round of the 2019 secondary draft, Roh has recorded 30-homer, 100-RBI seasons twice—in 2023 with 31 home runs and 101 RBIs, and in 2025 with 32 home runs and 101 RBIs. Last season he hit .260 with 32 home runs and 101 RBIs. His career totals through seven professional seasons stand at a .264 batting average, 124 home runs, and 490 RBIs.
"I am grateful to the organization for valuing me so highly and offering this historic contract," Roh said. "I will work hard toward our goal of winning the Korean Series in 2026."
Hanwha General Manager Son Hyuk said the club explored various options to respect the player's goals while treating him as a franchise star. "We hope Roh Si-hwan will follow in the footsteps of Jang Jong-hoon and Kim Tae-kyun to become a hitter who symbolizes Hanwha," Son said.