"They Say Japan and Taiwan Have Pulled Ahead? This Time, We’re Winning" Jeong Yun-jin’s U-18 Team Arrives in Taiwan, Takes Aim at Reclaiming Asian Title

[Financial News] The future of Korean baseball, wearing the Taegeuk emblem over their hearts, began breathing heavily at the decisive venue in Taiwan.
The under-18 (U-18) Korean baseball team, led by manager Jeong Yun-jin of Deoksu High School, completed its final preparations for the 14th Asian Youth Baseball Championship.
The team arrived at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan on the morning of July 5, quickly unpacked, and headed to Pingzhen Stadium that afternoon. Training was delayed by about 30 minutes because of sweltering heat above 30 degrees Celsius and intermittent rain, but nothing could hide the players’ fierce determination.
During an intense training session lasting about two hours, the players worked up a steady sweat and focused on sharpening their game readiness.
Their confidence stems from thorough preparation. The team set up a base camp in Gijang, Busan, on June 25 and has been building cohesion ever since. Particular effort went into adapting perfectly to the rebound and trajectory of the “Brett” ball, the official ball for this tournament. In their first training session after arriving in Taiwan, the players used the same ball to check their pitching-and-hitting balance and complete their preparations for competition.

The tournament’s outcome will depend on the team’s early momentum. Eight countries are taking part, with Korea placed in Group B alongside Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand. The group-stage opener against Taiwan on July 7 is effectively a final and the biggest turning point in determining the direction of the Super Round, which begins on July 11. If Korea gets past Taiwan, the games against Singapore on July 8 and Thailand on July 9 should be considerably easier. The team will then contest the final on July 13.
Above all, this tournament is a stage for Korean youth baseball to restore its pride. Korea has not won an international title since claiming the Asian championship in 2018. At the previous Asian Championship in 2024, where Korea finished third, and at the Baseball World Cup, where it placed fourth, Korea was stopped by Taiwan and Japan and had to settle for disappointment.
The team’s resolve is stronger than ever. Eom Jun-sang of Deoksu High School, the captain, said, "Korea has not won a gold medal recently, and many people say we are behind Japan and Taiwan." He added, "Through a victory in this tournament, we will prove that Korean baseball continues to grow steadily." He continued, "We trained so intensely that fatigue accumulated. That is why I believe we will be able to put on a strong performance on the field." Manager Jeong Yun-jin also declared, "We desperately want the gold medal. We will return with the championship trophy at all costs."
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter