WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: QUARTERFINALS 1 - KOREA VS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

March 13, 2026

Hyeseong Kim

LoanDepot Park

Team Korea

Pregame Press Conference

Q. How's the team atmosphere right now? And because you're also playing in the MLB, you probably are familiar with DR's players. What do you think about that?

HYESEONG KIM: The team atmosphere is great right now. Our team was able to make it to the quarterfinals here in Miami.

I did not face many DR players last year, but I met some of them. I played with some of them last year, so I was able to share that experience with my team. Also, I talked a lot with my team lead and did analysis on the DR's team.

Q. How's your hand? I've heard about your hand injury. Are you okay?

HYESEONG KIM: Yes. I'm at a great condition. Today I am playing, and I have no problem, and I will do my best.

Q. Now that you are returning for a second World Baseball Classic, on the team you are expected to be more of a leader because of your time in MLB and your career. When you were younger in your first World Baseball Classic appearance, who did you look to as a leader, and what do you try and do now on this team?

HYESEONG KIM: Yes. So this is my second time at WBC, but I don't think I am at a senior position yet, so I'm just trying my best.

When I was younger, I looked up to Hyeseong Kim player, and I listened to his advice.

Q. So you didn't play in Tokyo at the last game, so I think you were really hoping that the Korean team could make it to the next round, and the Korean team did, and then we are here in Miami. How were you feeling at the time, and how are you preparing for the game today?

HYESEONG KIM: Yes, I didn't play when we were playing against Australia. I was at the bench. But we all were -- like, all the players at the bench were praying and hoping that the Korean team could go to the next round.

And then we did great, so we are feeling the same. We all think that this is a great opportunity for us. we will unite as a team, and then we will go to the next round. We will do our best today.

Q. So Team Korea fulfilled its primary goal, which was to make it to the quarterfinals. And because the Team DR is pretty strong, they think that Korean players are under lots of pressure. How do you think of that? And what's the mental state of Korean players right now? Do you think that because DR is such a great team, do you already feel that there's no pressure there at all?

HYESEONG KIM: No, I don't think there is no pressure. I think there is pressure. And then we are maintaining the same attitude from the very first game we played at WBC. We are going to do our best, and all of our players want to win today.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about the baseball system in Korea? Do you feel there are enough baseball schools to develop more talent compared to other countries, and just how Korea's developing talent right now.

HYESEONG KIM: Now, that's such a difficult question. I honestly don't know much about amateur sports in Korea. I did my high school in a baseball-focused high school, so I'm not sure about middle school or elementary-level schools. But I think that that infrastructure for these amateur or rookie players is getting better for Korea, and I see a bright prospect.

(FastScripts by ASAP Sports)