The South Korean national baseball team () also known as the Blue Wave () is the national baseball team of South Korea. It has participated in every edition of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), reaching the finals in 2009, and won the WBSC Premier12 in 2015. South Korea also hosted and won the Baseball World Cup in 1982, and has participated in several Summer Olympic Games (winning gold over Cuba in 2008). 

Currently, South Korean baseball is ranked fiftth in the WBSC World Rankings. South Korea's main rival is Japan, which it has met in several WBC, Olympic, and Asian Baseball Championship games.

Results and fixtures
The following is a list of professional baseball match results currently active in the latest version of the WBSC World Rankings, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

2019

2021

2023

Tournament record

World Baseball Classic

2006 World Baseball Classic

The South Korean team playing in the 2006 World Baseball Classic included not just South Korean players based in South Korea, but South Korean players in the U.S. from Major League Baseball. In the Classic, the team played in and won every game they played in Pool A. They advanced to round two, again winning all three games to secure a place in the semifinals. Upon reaching the semifinals, the South Korean government announced that it would waive for the players on the team the mandatory two-year military service required of all young South Korean men. However, at the semifinals, the South Korean team lost to Japan, whom they had beaten twice previously. This led to controversy over the regulations of the WBC concerning the fact that South Korea had to face Japan three times and that it was Japan that was allowed to go to the finals, when it had four victories and three losses up to that point, two of those losses to South Korea, while the South Korean team, which had only one loss and had already beaten Japan twice, was eliminated from the finals.

2009 World Baseball Classic

South Korea competed in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, playing the first round in Pool A in Tokyo. South Korea opened the tournament with a 7–0 rout of Chinese Taipei. South Korea then lost to Japan in a 14–2 contest shortened to 7 innings by the WBC's early termination rule. In its third game, South Korea soundly defeated China 14–0 in a similarly shortened contest, securing advancement to the second round and ousting China from the tournament. South Korea won the final Pool A game by a 1–0 win over Japan in order to advance as the Pool A winner. In Pool 1, the round 2 of the WBC, South Korea beat Mexico 8–2 and then went on to beat Japan again 4–1, securing advancement to the semifinals. South Korea beat Venezuela 10–2 to secure a spot on the finals. In the final game however, South Korea lost to Japan 5–3.

2013 World Baseball Classic

South Korea competed in the 2013 World Baseball Classic for the third time, playing the first round in Pool B at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan, facing the Netherlands, Chinese Taipei and Australia. The Korean team lost the first game against the Netherlands 5–0, but won two next games against Chinese Taipei and Australia. Despite this, South Korea was eliminated in the first round for the first time since advancing to the semi-finals in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. However, even after elimination, South Korea earned their direct qualification to the upcoming 2017 World Baseball Classic.

2017 World Baseball Classic
South Korea lost the first game in the first round to surprising newcomers Israel, 2–1 in 10 innings. They also lost their second game against the Netherlands 5–0. They were eliminated for the second time ever, after their poor performance at the 2013 World Baseball Classic, as Israel and the Netherlands advanced to the next round. South Korea took third place in the pool, as it beat Taiwan in 10 innings, 11–8.

South Korea is facing Israel, the Netherlands, and Taiwan in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

2023 World Baseball Classic

In January 2020, the WBC announced the 16 national teams which participated at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, which included South Korea, will automatically qualify for the tournament.

Premier12 Tournament

2015
Team South Korea won the 2015 WBSC Premier12 Tournament.

2019
Team South Korea came in second in the 12-team 2019 WBSC Premier12 Tournament, which was held in November 2019. Two quota spots were allocated from the Tournament, of the spots for six baseball teams at the 2020 Olympic Games, with South Korea qualifying as the top finisher from the Asia/Oceana territory (other than Japan, which already qualified as host).

Summer Olympics

2000 Sydney Olympics

Since the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, professional baseball players have been permitted to play and the South Korean team that was formed was often called the "Korean Dream Team". This team won the bronze medal.. At that time, the top four teams (Cuba, United States, South Korea and Japan) advanced to the semi-finals. In the semi-final game, the South Koreans faced the United States team and lost. In the bronze medal match, the South Koreans played against the Japanese and won the game 3–1.

2008 Beijing Olympics

After losing 4–3 to Japan at the 2007 Asian Baseball Championships, the South Koreans finished with a 2–1 record and were forced to seek entrance to the 2008 Olympics via the Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament to be held March 7–14, 2008 in Taichung, Taiwan.

The South Korean roster, for the qualifying, is mainly professional players from the Korea Baseball Organization and is not subjected to the scheduling conflicts that troubled the teams from Australia, Canada, and Mexico.

Going into the tournament rated by the experts as an outsider, or a dark horse at most, South Korea surprised everybody by finishing the group stage in first place with a perfect 7–0 record. The team began its run with come from behind win against heavily favored United States, scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning with a sacrifice fly. Disappointment soon followed the next game, however, as China (undeniably the weakest team in the tournament) stymied South Korea for most of the game before the game was suspended because of rain in the 6th inning with a 0–0 score. South Korea bounced back the following day with a tightly contested 1–0 victory over Canada, with Ryu Hyun-Jin recording a complete-game shutout. After dispatching their rivals Japan 5–3 in the next game, South Korea finished off China in the continuation of the aforementioned suspended game by winning 1–0 in the extra innings. South Korea then clinched their place in the final four by beating Chinese Taipei 9–8, followed by another surprise victory over heavily favored Cubans, 7–4 (which guaranteed them finishing first place in the group round). The team finished their Round Robin Tournament in style, hammering the Netherlands 10–0 and beating them on mercy rule.

In the Semifinal match, the team was once again matched up against their arch-rivals Japan. The first half of the game was very tight as Japan was leading 2–1 going into the 7th inning. South Korea soon tied the ballgame at 2 apiece in the bottom half, then took the lead in the 8th thanks in large part to Lee Seung-Yeop's clutch 2-run home run. South Korea added 2 more runs that inning. South Korea eventually ended with a 6–2 victory. In the finals they overcame the perennial favorites Cuba for the second time in the tournament, surviving a bases-loaded 9th inning situation with a double play to win the game 3–2, allowing South Korea to obtain their gold medal for Baseball. South Korea also earned 12 other gold medals during the Olympics making them the second highest gold medalist country after China in Asia.

Asian Games

2010 Asian Games
2010 Asian Games Baseball was held in Guangzhou, China from November 13 to 19, 2010. Only a men's competition was held. All games were played at the Aoti Baseball Field. South Korea beat Chinese Taipei 9–3 in the final to win the gold medal.

2014 Asian Games
2014 Asian Games Baseball was held in Incheon, South Korea from September 22 to 28, 2014. All games were played at the Munhak Baseball Stadium and Mokdong Baseball Stadium. South Korea beat Chinese Taipei 6–3 in the final to win the gold medal.

Other tournaments

Asian Baseball Championship

Players

Roster
The following players were called up to participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic:

Manager  Lee Kang-chul
Coaches  Kim Ki-tai, Jong Hyun-wook, Kim Min-jae, Kim Min-ho, Bae Young-soo, Shim Jae-hak, Jin Kab-yong

Roster list

World Baseball Classic
 2017 World Baseball Classic roster
 2013 World Baseball Classic roster
 2009 World Baseball Classic roster
 2006 World Baseball Classic roster

Olympic Games
 2020 Summer Olympics roster
 2008 Summer Olympics roster
 2000 Summer Olympics roster
 1996 Summer Olympics roster
 1988 Summer Olympics roster
 1984 Summer Olympics roster

WBSC Premier12
 2015 WBSC Premier12 roster

Asian Games
 2018 Asian Games roster
 2014 Asian Games roster
 2010 Asian Games roster
 2006 Asian Games roster
 2002 Asian Games roster

Notable record

See also
 South Korea national under-18 baseball team

References

External links 

 Korea Baseball Association 

 
Korean, South
대한민국 야구 국가대표팀은 대한민국의 야구 국가대표팀으로, KBO에 의해 구성된다. 1998년까지는 아마추어 선수들만 국제대회에 참여했으나, 1998년 아시안 게임부터는 프로 선수들도 참여하고 있다.

역사 
한국 프로 야구가 출범하던 해인 1982년에 서울에서 개최된 1982년 아마추어 월드 시리즈의 사실상의 결승전이었던 일본전에서 김재박의 개구리 번트와 한대화의 역전 쓰리런으로 극적인 우승을 차지해 프로야구의 인기가 올라가는데 큰 역할을 했는데 이 대회 외에도  1980년 세계야구선수권대회 준우승, 1983년 아시아 야구 선수권 대회 우승 당시 대부분 멤버들이 병역특례 혜택을 받았다.

그 후 1990년대 중반, 프로야구의 방위병 제도가 폐지되자, 야구를 하면서 병역 문제를 해결할 방법이 상무 외에는 사실상 사라졌다. 이 때부터 아마추어로만 구성되던 국가대표팀은 프로로 전환되어 선발되었다.

1998년 아시안 게임에서는 박찬호, 김병현, 서재응과 같은 메이저리거와 다수의 프로 선수들이 참여하여 당시 아마추어 선수들만 참여하던 아시안 게임에서 손쉽게 우승을 차지했다. 2000년 하계 올림픽에서는 동메달 결정전 구대성의 완투승으로 동메달을 차지하여 올림픽 야구 사상 첫 메달을 차지하였고, 2002년 아시안 게임에서는 대회 2연패에 성공하였다.

그러나 김재박이 이끌던 2004년 하계 올림픽에서는 예선에서 탈락해 본선 진출에 실패하였고, 곧이어 병역 비리가 터지면서 대한민국 야구는 침체기를 맞게 된다.

그러던 2006년, 제1회 월드 베이스볼 클래식이 개최되고 박찬호, 김선우, 봉중근, 구대성, 김병현, 최희섭, 서재응을 비롯한 다수의 해외파가 참가한 가운데, 숙적의 라이벌 일본에게 2연승을 거두는 등 4강까지 올라갔지만, 준결승전에서 패배하여 4강에 머물고 말았다. 수많은 메이저리거가 소속된 국가를 이기고 4강까지 올라가자, 대한민국 정부는 2002년 FIFA 월드컵에서 4강에 진출하자 병역 특례를 준 것처럼 병역 혜택을 주면서 모두 11명이 병역 특례를 받게 되었다.

그리고 2013년 월드 베이스볼 클래식 조별 리그 B조에서 대한민국이 2승 1패로 같은 중화 타이베이와 네덜란드하고 승점이 같아졌고, 승자승(HTH)까지도 같아졌지만 득실차(TQB)에서 밀려 조 3위로 아쉽게 2라운드 진출에 실패했다.

대회 기록

올림픽 성적

아시안 게임 성적

월드 베이스볼 클래식 성적

프리미어 12 성적

아시아 야구 선수권 대회

2003년 전 아시아 야구 선수권 기록

2003년 후 아시아 야구 선수권 기록

동아시아 경기 대회 성적

논란

2009년 WBC 대회 직전 감독 선임 문제 
2009 WBC 대회 직전의 대한민국 야구 국가대표팀은 2008 베이징 올림픽 야구 금메달의 성과에 기대가 한껏 부풀어 있었다. 아쉽게 단 한경기를 지고서도 4강에 머무른 2006 1회 WBC의 아쉬움과 함께 군 미필 상태인 젊은 선수들(최정, 박기혁 등)은 군 면제도 기대한 데다가 온 국민이 열광하는 스포츠가 된 야구, 특히 한일전에 시선이 쏠렸다. 하지만 KBO는 WBC 대표팀 감독 선임을 두고 고민에 빠졌다. 감독 1순위는 작년 KBO 리그 준우승 팀(두산 베어스)의 감독이자 올림픽 전승 우승의 장본인인 김경문 감독이었는데, 김경문 감독이 베이징 올림픽 당시에도 장기간 팀을 비웠다는 이유로 고사했다. 또한 1순위였던 작년 프로 야구 우승 팀(SK 와이번스)의 감독인 김성근 감독은 구단 SK 와이번스의 WBC 감독 차출 승인을 하였지만 WBC 감독 선임일이던 2008년 11월 5일 당시 인터뷰에서 ’내 성격 알지 않느냐, 일단 맡으면 끝장을 봐야 하는데, 그러다가 내가 쓰러지면 에스케이는 어떻게 되느냐’는 이해할 수 없는 건강 문제로 거절하였다. 그렇게 되자 여론은 자연히 1회 WBC 감독인 김인식 감독으로 쏠렸고, 뇌경색 수술을 받고 다리가 불편한 상태에서 WBC 대표팀을 맡게 된다. 그 후유증으로 김인식 감독이 이끌던 한화 이글스는 2009년 프로야구 최하위인 8위에 그치고, 김인식 감독은 재계약에 실패하고 구단 고문직에 앉게 된다. 여론이 고사했던 김성근 SK 감독에게 비판적으로 쏠렸으나 침묵으로 일관하였고 1년 후 2009 한국시리즈 이후 박동희 기자와의 인터뷰에 응하였으나 여론의 물매를 받게 되었다.

2009년 WBC 선수단의 포상금 문제 
추신수, 이대호, 이용규, 이진영, 손민한, 김현수 등 2009년 제2회 WBC 대회에 참가한 28명의 국가대표 선수들이 KBO를 상대로 포상금 문제로 소송을 제기했다. KBO는 선수들에게 상금 100만 달러에 한해서 포상금으로 지급한다는 방침이며 선수 1인당 돌아가는 금액은 3200만 원이다. 하지만 선수들은 준우승 상금 등으로 받은 300만 달러에서 경비와 세금을 제외하고 선수 1인당 9200여만 원씩 지급해야 한다고 주장하고 있다.

국가대표팀 명단 
2022년 기준
 감독 류중일

역대 감독

같이 보기 
 국제 야구 연맹 (IBAF)
 야구 월드컵
 아시아 야구 선수권 대회
 아시아 프로야구 챔피언십 (APBC)

참조

외부 링크 

 대한야구협회 (KBA) - 공식 웹사이트
 한국야구위원회 (KBO) - 공식 웹사이트

 
야구 국가대표팀
아시아의 야구 국가대표팀