Korea's Park Hae-min Vows to End WBC Group Stage Drought

As the 2026 World Baseball Classic approaches, South Korea's national baseball team carries an unmistakable sense of urgency. Years of disappointing results on the international stage weigh heavily on the squad, with veteran outfielder Park Hae-min (36, LG Twins) at its center.

Park, who batted over .700 (5-for-7) during practice games in Okinawa with his revamped batting stance, spoke with Seoul Economic Daily about redemption and team goals rather than personal statistics.

From Young Hopeful to Team Leader

This WBC marks a dramatically different role for Park. When he first wore the national team uniform at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, he was a young player learning from veteran teammates. Now he stands as the senior position player responsible for leading the next generation.

"When I was younger, there were so many senior players that just being selected was an honor," Park said. "But now, after years of poor international results, my desire for redemption is much stronger."

Korean baseball enjoyed glory days with a semifinal run in the 2006 WBC and runner-up finish in 2009. However, the team has suffered first-round eliminations in three consecutive tournaments (2013, 2017, 2023) and failed to advance past preliminaries at the 2024 Premier12.

"Before, I could rely on senior players. Now I need to be someone others can lean on—that's the biggest difference," Park said.

The veteran takes a subtle approach to easing pressure on younger teammates, preferring to lighten the mood with humor rather than hollow reassurances.

"Simply telling them 'don't feel pressure, let's have fun' can actually add pressure," Park explained. "I try to create an atmosphere where they can prepare without excessive tension."

New Batting Stance Yields Results

Park recorded a remarkable 5-for-7 (.714) during evaluation games at Kadena Stadium in Okinawa. On February 24, he went 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored against the KIA Tigers, leading Korea to a 6-3 victory.

The outfielder explained his transition to an open stance came naturally rather than through coaching intervention.

"I wasn't trying to change anything artificially," Park said. "I was just trying to see the ball more comfortably, and the open stance developed naturally. This form is the result of trying to hit from my most comfortable position."

Park believes the adjustment will improve his execution on team plays. "I've worked on making more contact, which should naturally increase success rates on tactical plays," he said.

Despite concerns that an open stance might limit him to pulling the ball, Park noted the opposite effect. "I actually have more space to watch the ball, making it easier to hit to the opposite field. It's encouraging that my hits in practice games are going evenly toward center field."

Meticulous Preparation for Foreign Venues

With four previous international tournaments under his belt, Park's fifth national team appearance showcases his attention to detail. Upon arriving at any new stadium, he heads straight to the outfield fence with a ball in hand.

"As an outfielder, I check the lighting and fence firmness first," Park said. "I throw balls against the fence to calculate how they'll bounce—the angle and speed—so I can position myself correctly during games."

Regarding Tokyo Dome, where pool play will be held, Park noted: "The fence is high, and there are wire mesh structures in the gaps that create variables. I try to understand these details first at unfamiliar stadiums."

For facing unfamiliar foreign pitchers, Park employs a counterintuitive approach. "When there's too much data, my mind gets cluttered. With less information, I can stay simple," he said. "Rather than overthinking, I focus on one point: don't be late on fastballs."

Team Goals Over Personal Glory

Asked about personal objectives, Park was emphatic: "Personal goals are truly meaningless on the national team. My only goal is to perfectly execute whatever role the team needs."

His focus remains fixed on Korea's primary objective: advancing past the group stage.

"Our top priority is advancing from pool play. Despite poor international results, KBO fans have shown tremendous love for the league," Park said. "I hope this tournament becomes an opportunity to repay that support."

Park made clear he accepts any role—starter or backup. "I want to be remembered as a player who perfectly executed his role whenever the manager and team needed me."

The veteran closed with an appeal to fans: "There's talk that Korean baseball has lost its fighting spirit, but as someone who's experienced these tournaments firsthand, that's absolutely not true. I hope this WBC demonstrates that Korean baseball remains strong."