WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL B - KOREA VS CHINA

March 13, 2023

Kang Chul Lee

Jung Hoo Lee

Tokyo Dome

Team Korea

Postgame Press Conference

Korea 22, China 2

Q. How do you look back on today's game?

KANG CHUL LEE: Yes, this was our final game of the tournament. Our players always paid attention and were concentrating and played hard.

The result is already done. We couldn't go through the quarterfinals but no matter what the result is, our role is to play hard until the last, so we did.

Q. You couldn't go to the quarterfinals, and looking back on the 2023 WBC, please give us a summary?

KANG CHUL LEE: Yes, first, we eliminated -- well, I'd like to say thank you to the fans, even though we couldn't go through the quarterfinals, and I apologize from the bottom of our hearts that we couldn't go through. All of our players prepared well, and they did what they could do. Everything is under my was.

JUNG HOO LEE: Well, I lot of fans, all the nation in Korea, everybody is expecting us to play well. We are sorry that we couldn't pray well, including me, younger players were on the roster. We are a bit behind from the top of the world, but that's something we learned from the tournament. In the future, for the 2026 WBC, we would like to start preparing for the future, for the next tournament.

Q. What would you like to improve in the future or if there is any goal or aim for Korean baseball?

KANG CHUL LEE: Yes, I don't know exactly what to tell, our improved point right now, so once I'm flying home to Korea and take time, then, yes, we will discuss and let you know our point for the future.

JUNG HOO LEE: Yes, each individual player has something to improve, so once the player is going back to their own home, yeah, we start to improve their own problems.

Q. Is this a question to both of you. The first WBC tournament, you were in the best final four; and in the second final, you are runner-up; 2008 Beijing Olympics, you got a medal. Compared to this era and the 2023 WBC, what's the differences and what's the shortage point compared to these eras?

KANG CHUL LEE: Well, looking back at 2006, 2009, they are -- at that time we have divided completely who is a starter, who is a setup guy and who is a closer. That's the point, and for the previous tournament, we don't know -- we didn't claim who is the starter and who is the setup guy. That's partly my fault. What I regret is probably we would decide who is going to be the game starter before the game -- before the tournament starts. That's my regret.

Q. You played here in Japan and your father as well played in Japan, playing for the Japan league in the past. Is there any hope for you that up with day you would like to play in Japan?

KANG CHUL LEE: Yes, right now, my only concern is to play hard, play hard in Korea. But right now, my dream is -- my next dream is playing in the U.S.

Q. You mentioned there was time to switch pitchers, and before the start, you missed some players. Was this a big loss that you couldn't have Yu (ph) your bullpen pitcher?

KANG CHUL LEE: I don't have any regret we missed him on our roster.

Q. You just mentioned to us that each individual player has their own problems, but talking to yourself, you've got a great average and you've got great stats. Throughout your four games, what's your good memory and what's your great at-bat throughout the previous four games, the 2023 WBC?

JUNG HOO LEE: Yes, I see a lot of fastballs, as well as breaking balls, and this was a great opportunity to try what I prepared. Playing against the opponent teams, it not that important. Talking to the Japanese teams, when we faced against them, I didn't swing and miss. That was something I learned and I got.

And one of the most memorable at-bat was probably got a base hit off Yu Darvish, but the very first at-bat, I got a hit to right field in my very first at-bat. That's probably my most impacted at-bat.

Q. Mr. Edman missed today's game. Has he got hurt anything? And at this time, first time ever on your roster to call the American-born player on the Korean national team. Is there any good or bad affection to having a no Korean-born players on your roster?

KANG CHUL LEE: Well, he had a bit of pain, slight pain on his left side butt. It's not serious but that's why we cannot let him play today -- tonight. Along, having him on our roster, we didn't have any problems. He's got great communication with our teammates, and also he's an active Major League Baseball player. This affected well to our dugout.