WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: QUARTERFINALS 1 - KOREA VS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

March 13, 2026

Ji Hyun Ryu

LoanDepot Park

Team Korea

Pregame Press Conference

Q. How are the players' conditions right now? Earlier, when we asked the DR's coach, they were saying that the lineup -- Korean lineup is not announced yet and they're looking to receive one. How do you plan to play against the Dominican Republic?

JI HYUN RYU: Looking at the timing of DR moving from Tokyo, I think Team DR -- I'm not sure whether the DR is still maintaining the same condition as they were in Tokyo, and we were given two days for Team Korea. That's honestly not enough time for our team to be ready.

I am following up with our players, whether or not they're getting good sleep, whether they're getting good rest and breaks.

But this is already a set schedule, and I am providing them with the best support possible so that they can be prepared, physically and mentally prepared.

It doesn't matter whether the DR team knows our lineup or our strategy. We are still doing analysis on our team's performance and DR's team's performance, and doing all of this will allow us to do better at the game.

Q. The last time both teams, the DR and Korea, faced was in the Olympics in 2021, and the DR won that match. Korea didn't advance to the next round since the Classic in 2009. Any impressions about the game, and how do you think you can beat the Dominican team to revenge?

The last time that both teams faced was in the Olympics in 2021. The DR won that match. In World Classics, you are facing for the first time, but this team, Korea, hasn't advanced to the next round since 2009. Korea is trying to change the results of the last years and try to advance to the next round?

JI HYUN RYU: I am not going to talk about the past results and past performance. I have been telling everyone that our goal was to make it to the quarterfinals, and we are here also to win, so we are preparing to win.

And I believe in Koreans. I believe in Korean spirit. We are really good at overcoming challenges.

And I mentioned this yesterday. There is this one pitcher who is missing, but he is still part of our team and his heart is with us, and our team is still waiting to win this game.

Q. The Dominican Republic's concern about you is your style, the way you play baseball. Korea has the same concern regarding the Dominican team or style? And not only that, you were in a very complicated pool. You did a great game against Japan. Do you think that's an advantage for you, considering that Dominican Republic is the favorite today?

JI HYUN RYU: Yes, DR is a very promising team, which has many superstars and star players. And I know that some of the players have better performances and better records than some of our Korean players. However, we are at the quarterfinals because we are also qualified, and we are ready. And then if we can execute our plans and strategies accordingly, I am adamant that we can do well at this game.

All of our players have faith in that. And then I am also, actually, excited to learn about the fact that Dominican Republic is worried about playing with Korea. I am going to take advantage of this opportunity and participate in this game.

Q. They were saying earlier that, why are you not announcing the Korean lineup? Is there any reason why there was some delay with announcing the Korean lineup? And how is Kim Hyeseong's body condition right now?

JI HYUN RYU: We're not trying to deliberately hide our lineup. I hope there is no misunderstanding here. I can assure you that this is not deliberate. And I also know that it is not just Korean press present here, so I don't want you to have any misunderstandings about this point.

Yes, I can announce it. First, Kim Do Yeong; two, Jones; three, Lee Jung Hoo; four, Ahn Hyun Min; five, Moon Bo Gyeong; six, Whitcomb; seven, Kim Hyeeong; eight, Park Dong Won; nine, Kim Ju Won. Kim Hyeseong is at an excellent condition.

Q. Korea has some great baseball fans. Can you talk a little bit about what this tournament and international baseball means to your supporters back home?

JI HYUN RYU: Are you talking about WBC or are you talking about the game today? We have been preparing for this championship for the past one year, and we were able to make a good result from playing against Australia. I think we made a miracle happen. And right now we're at the quarterfinals in Miami, and then we're going to try our best.

Q. I want to follow up on the last question by asking, what is the significance in Korea for the growth of baseball by advancing to the quarterfinals in the World Baseball Classic?

JI HYUN RYU: Right now one of the most beloved sports in Korea is baseball. In 2024 we had 10 million audience members. In 2025 we had even more audience members than the year before. So this is a growing market. It is a beloved market. And therefore, us playing for the quarterfinals means a lot for the Korean baseball fans.

And I think this is a great opportunity to show them that Korean baseball is doing great, and I think this is also a way of giving back love to our baseball fans.

There was some games that we didn't execute perfectly. However, we made it to the quarterfinals and this means a lot to me, to me and our team, and we will execute our plans accordingly.

(FastScripts by ASAP Sports)