'Gold medal or nothing': nat'l baseball manager sets sight on top prize at Asian Games

SEOUL, June 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has dominated the baseball tournament at the Asian Games for years, having won four straight gold medals starting in 2010 in Guangzhou, China.

Considering the level of competition, with the baseball-crazed Japan not sending its top professionals and Chinese Taipei failing to get past South Korea year after year, South Korea will once again be regarded as a gold medal favorite at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan's Aichi Prefecture.

In announcing his 24-man roster for the Sept. 21-27 tournament Thursday, South Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun said he expects nothing less than the top prize.

"If we don't win the gold medal at the Asian Games, the competition doesn't really mean anything to us," Ryu said at a press conference in Seoul. "On paper, we have some young players with little experience. But if everyone can come together as a team and pursue the same goal with the national flag on their chests, then I think those players will exceed expectations."

Ryu Ji-hyun, manager of the South Korean national baseball team, smiles during a press conference in Seoul on June 11, 2026, announcing his roster for the 2026 Asian Games. (Yonhap)

Ryu will be going to his fourth straight Asian Games, after serving as a coach at three previous competitions. He has won nothing but gold medals during that run.

"I understand fans will have high expectations for our team this year," Ryu said. "I've seen firsthand how our players' mental fortitude got the team over the hump, and I am counting on much the same this time. These players are all very talented. Barring major surprises, I think we will bring home great surprises."

Ryu's team of 11 pitchers and 13 position players is made up entirely of players for Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) clubs. After years of being panned for selecting underperforming, older players just to give them a chance to earn military service exemption by winning the Asiad gold medal, the KBO has been going younger with national teams since the 2023 Asian Games. Players' military status is much less of a concern now than in the past.

The 2026 Asiad roster includes a few players who received their exemption by winning the 2023 gold medal, such as NC Dinos shortstop Kim Ju-won, Hanwha Eagles infielder Roh Si-hwan, Lotte Giants outfielder Yoon Dong-hee and Samsung Lions outfielder Kim Ji-chan.

Of the 24 players, 21 are 25 years old or younger, and three players in the 25-29 age bracket were selected as "wild cards."

One of those older players is the 27-year-old Doosan Bears starter Gwak Been, who has been one of