The Korea Baseball Organization announced on Dec. 2 that former stars Kim Tae-kyun and Oh Seung-hwan will join the national team’s domestic training camp as guest instructors for the upcoming Asia Professional Baseball Championship, starnewskorea.com reported.
Two Legends Rejoin the National Team
Two of South Korea’s most decorated international veterans are stepping back onto the diamond to pass down decades of high-level experience. Kim Tae-kyun, who accumulated 2,209 hits during his storied KBO career, and career saves leader Oh Seung-hwan will work directly with the next generation of national team prospects. Both former players are 44 years old and share extensive histories representing South Korea on the global stage, including podium finishes at the World Baseball Classic.
Training Camp Schedule at Hanwha Life Eagles Park
The Korean Baseball Commission stated that Kim and Oh will participate in a two-day training block on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4. The sessions are being held at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon, serving as the opening phase of domestic preparation for the 2026 Asia Professional Baseball Championship squad. Following the Daejeon workouts and a series of domestic practice games running through Dec. 8, the national team will depart for Japan on Dec. 9 ahead of the tournament’s opening round.
International Pedigree and Historic Career Milestones
Kim and Oh bring deep international resumes to the coaching staff. Kim earned his first senior national team selection during the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic, helping South Korea reach the semifinals before contributing to the nation’s runner-up finish at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Domestically, the right-handed hitting star spent the vast majority of his career with the Hanwha Eagles, batting .320 with 311 home runs and 1,358 RBIs across 2,015 KBO games. He claimed the league’s Rookie of the Year award in 2001, won the home run crown in 2008, and captured the batting title in 2012.
Oh earned the moniker of “The Final Boss” through a dominant career spanning the KBO, Nippon Professional Baseball, and Major League Baseball. The relief ace debuted with the Samsung Lions in 2005 and established the KBO’s all-time saves record with 427. His international achievements include anchoring the bullpen for South Korea’s undefeated gold medal run at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, alongside silver-medal performances at the World Baseball Classic and long-term service through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Tournament Format and Preparing Young Roster Prospects
The inclusion of Kim and Oh aligns directly with the core objective of the Asia Professional Baseball Championship: developing young talent for major international tournaments. Now in its third edition, the regional showcase features under-24 players or those with three years or fewer of professional experience, alongside up to three wildcard selections under age 29. The tournament acts as a vital developmental stepping stone toward the 2027 Premier12 and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Manager Choi Won-ho leads a 33-player preliminary roster featuring rising stars such as Kim Do-young, Ahn Hyun-min, Kim Joo-won, and Moon Hyun-bin.
Upcoming Group Stage Schedule in Tokyo
After completing their domestic training block in Daejeon and traveling overseas, South Korea will open group play at the Tokyo Dome on Dec. 12 against Australia. The team faces host Japan on Dec. 13 and concludes the opening round against Taiwan on Dec. 14. The top two teams from the round-robin stage will meet in the championship final on Dec. 15, while the third- and fourth-place teams contest the bronze medal match on the same day.
