The legendary Zainichi Korean baseball player Harimoto Isao, who became the first player in Japanese professional baseball to achieve 3,000 career hits and made significant contributions to the development of South Korean baseball, has passed away at the age of 86.

Harimoto passed away yesterday at a hospital in Tokyo, Japan at the age of 86.

Active in Japanese professional baseball for 23 years starting in 1959, the late legend dominated an era by winning seven batting titles and becoming the first player in history to surpass 3,000 career hits.

Beginning in 1982, the inaugural year of South Korea's professional baseball league, he served as a special advisor to the KBO commissioner, and in 2007, his achievements were recognized with the Mugunghwa Medal, South Korea's highest civilian order of merit.

He later worked extensively as a broadcast baseball commentator in Japan.

The Korea Baseball Organization is considering sending a delegation to pay their respects, honoring his dedication to the development of South Korean baseball.

(Video Editing: Lee Jae-sung)