The decision came in a KBO board meeting, under pressure of fans and players. The Korea Professional Baseball Players Association had threatened to boycott the annual Golden Glove Awards, unless the KBO moved in favor of the creation of the 10th team.
The approval will bring the total number of KBO clubs to 10.
After the KBO meeting held at the Basehall Hall in Dogok-dong, southern Seoul, KBO Secretary General Yang Hae-young said he expects the 10th team to join the league in 2015.
To date, Suwon, a large city in Gyeonggi Province, and North Jeolla Province have submitted to the KBO secretariat letters of intent to run the 10th team.
The succesful applicant will be chosen early next year, KBO officials said.
The KBO said it endorsed the formation of the 10th club to resolve scheduling problems stemming from an even number of teams and meet the wishes of fans.
The KBO had eight clubs in 2012 and will bring in a ninth team, the NC Dinos expansion team, starting next season.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com