President Lee: "Noh Kyung-eun’s pitching at 42 left a deep impression... Don’t give up just because you think it’s too late"

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung on the 16th praised Noh Kyung-eun of the South Korea national baseball team at the World Baseball Classic (WBC), saying his performance "felt like more than just a contest; it carried the message, 'Don’t give up just because you think it’s too late.'"
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) that day, President Lee stressed, "During the Asian qualifiers of this WBC, the scenes shown by 42-year-old veteran pitcher Noh Kyung-eun of our national team left a deep impression."
Lee wrote, "In the final group-stage Korea vs. Australia game, right after the starting pitcher left the mound with a sudden injury, Noh Kyung-eun came in on short notice and pitched two scoreless innings, leading the team to a 7–2 victory." He continued, "At the time, South Korea’s chances of reaching the quarterfinals were below 5%, but that pitching performance became the starting point of a miraculous turnaround, and in the end the national team dramatically secured a spot in the main round."

He went on, "Above all, what moved so many people was that, even at the age of 42, he never gave up and kept training himself as a veteran," adding, "In an era dominated by fastballs of at least 150 km/h and even over 160 km/h, he still fulfilled his role superbly through experience, restraint, and the feel he had built up over many years."
Lee also said, "There are many people in our society who are frustrated or thinking about giving up for various reasons, which is why I believe Noh Kyung-eun’s relentless challenge and great courage will instill hope and determination in many citizens." He emphasized, "The situation is difficult both at home and abroad, but we will not give up; we will move forward, overcome, and ultimately achieve our goals."




hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter