Korea comes to the tournament at a turning point for its baseball program. The team dominated in the early-aughts, winning gold at the 2008 Olympics and going to extra innings before losing to Japan in the 2009 World Baseball Classic finals. Since then, however, the national team has struggled, failing to advance beyond the first round in the last three World Baseball Classic tournaments. The worst came in 2023 when Korea was upset by Australia and suffered a heavy 13-4 loss to Japan.
At the same time, Korean players are finding more success in the Major Leagues, with outfielder Jung Hoo Lee inspiring his own fan club -- the Hoo Lee Gans -- and second baseman Hyeseong Kim winning a World Series in his first season in Los Angeles. Baseball in Korea has also never been more popular, with the KBO setting attendance records this past season.
This tournament, they'll be led by new manager Ryu Ji-hyun and a roster that will likely feature some of Korea's top MLB stars, exciting young KBO players like Do-yeong Kim and Hyun-Min Ahn, and even the return of veteran of Hyun-jin Ryu to a young, fireballing rotation. Will that be enough to send Korea back to the semifinals?
2025 WBC schedule
Korea is back in Tokyo and will have to face rivals, Japan. With many expecting the hosts to win the group, Korea will look to finish second and avenge the loss to Australia in 2023. Here's how the schedule looks -- all dates and times ET.
March 5: Czechia - 5 a.m. ET
March 7: Japan - 5 a.m. ET
March 7: Chinese Taipei - 10 p.m. ET
March 9: Australia - 6 a.m. ET
Best WBC performance
Korea's best performance came in 2009 when Korea reached the finals before losing to Japan in 10 innings, 5-3. Korea stormed back to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI single from Bum Ho Lee before Ichiro Suzuki's two-RBI single in the top of the tenth gave Japan the win.
Four Korean players were named to the All-Tournament team that year, with 1B Tae-kyun Kim, 3B Lee, DH Hyun-Soo Kim and P Jung-keun Bong getting honors.
Biggest games in country history
Korea's narrow 3-2 victory over Cuba to win gold at the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing remains the highest achievement for the national team. Going a perfect 9-0 -- the first team to do so in the Olympics since Cuba in 1996 -- Korea got a two-run home run from Seung-yeop Lee, arguably the greatest slugger in KBO history, to take a lead they would never relent.
Ryu, then just 21 years old, pitched into the ninth inning before Cuba loaded the bases. It was then up to Tae-hyun Chong to close the door, which he did by inducing a game-ending and gold medal-winning double play.
Notable MLB players on the team
While Ha-seong Kim and new Padres signing Sung-Mun Song will miss the tournament with injury, there will be plenty of MLB representation on Korea's roster. Aside from Lee, Hyeseong Kim, and Woo-suk Go manager Ji-hyun Ryu made recruiting players with Korean heritage a big part of his roster building. After Tommy Edman made history by becoming the first player born outside of Korea to play for the team in 2023, now there will be four players: Tigers outfielder Jahmai Jones, Mariners pitcher Dane Dunning, Cardinals pitcher Riley O'Brien, and Astros infielder Shay Whitcomb.
Minor League prospects who may join the team
While there are no Minor Leaguers on the team, there are two young Korean stars who should be on your radar: Third baseman Do-yeong Kim was the youngest player in KBO history to have a 30/30 season when he pulled it off in 2024. He was injured for much of 2025 and will be looking to bounce back on the international stage next month.
Then there's Hyun-min Ahn, known as "Muscle Man" for his impressive frame, who will take over duties in right field. He slashed .334/.448/.570 with 22 home runs in 482 plate appearances last year at the age of 21 for the KT Wiz.
Story to watch
Can Korea get back on top?
That's the big question. Korea was a force in the first decade of the century, but -- other than a 2015 Premier12 championship -- has struggled. With star players from around the world, hopes will be high that the team will advance from Tokyo to the quarter finals, but competition will be fierce.
Questions ahead of upcoming tournament
How will the pitching staff do?
Korea's pitchers struggled mightily in 2023, posting a 7.55 ERA -- the fifth-worst in the tournament. Behind the veteran Ryu, much of the staff is young, but have impressive fastballs. Will that be enough to turn the team around?