With just one player, who is currently playing outside of his home country, South Korea tries to win a medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer. Manager Kyung-Moon Kim selected 24 players, ten pitchers, two catchers, seven infielders and five outfielders. The most-known player is first baseman Seung-Yeop Lee of the Yomiuri Giants (Japan).
They also had hoped that outfielder Shin-Soo Choo (Cleveland Indians) and closer Chang-Yong Lim (Yakult Swallows, Japan) would be eligible to play, but their clubs denied the request. Kim also announced his rotation for the Olympic competition by assigning Hyun-Jin Ryu, Jung-Keun Bong, Seung-Jin Song and Kwang-Hyun Kim to starter roles.
Before they are travelling to China, the Korean National Team is going to play three exhibition games on home turf against the Netherlands (August 4) and Cuba (August 5 and 6). They will open the tournament on August 13 against team USA.
Complete Roster:
Pitchers: Lim Tae-Hoon (Doosan Bears), Oh Seung-Hwan, Kwon Hyunk (Samsung Lions), Song Seung-Jun (Lotte Giants) Han Ki-Joo (Kia Tigers), Kim Kwang-Hyun, Chung Dae-Hyun (SK Wyverns), Ryu Hyun-Jin (Hanwha Eagles), Bong Jung-Keun (LG Twins), Jang Won-Sam (Woori Heroes)
Catchers: Jin Kab-Yong (Samsung Lions), Kang Min-ho (Lotte Giants)
Infielders: Jeong Keun-Woo (SK Wyverns), Kim Dong-Joo, Ko Young-Min (Doosan Bears), Kim Min-Jae (Hanwha Eagles), Park Jin-Man (Samsung Lions), Lee Dae-Ho (Lotte Giants), Lee Seung-Yeop (Yomiuri Giants)
Outfielders: Lee Jin-young (SK Wyverns), Kim Hyun-Soo, Lee Jong-Wook (Doosan Bears), Lee Yong-Kyu (Kia Tigers), Lee Tae-Keun (Woori Heroes)