With the Premier12 now less than two weeks away, we are providing breakdowns of each team as we get closer to the action. We’ll look at South Korea, who won the first edition of the Premier12 back in 2015, after defeating the United States to take home their first Premier12 title.
As for 2019, they would make a deep run into the Premier12, reaching the championship game. They would lose to Japan in a 5-3 loss, but they are the only team in Premier12 history to reach the finals in both editions of the tournament.
In prior competitions, South Korea has featured southpaw Kwang-Hyun Kim on its roster, along with MLB veteran Hyun-soo Kim. Hyun-soo Kim brought home the Premier12 MVP Award in 2015, helping to lead South Korea to its first Premier12 title. He played with the Orioles and Phillies organizations from 2016-17. Kwang-Hyun Kim pitched in the St. Louis Cardinals organization from 2020-21 and was a member of South Korea’s Premier12 team both years.
Entering 2024, South Korea currently ranks fourth among the top 12 teams competing in the Premier12 field. Won Tae-In will be a pitcher to keep close tabs on after a strong season in the KBO. Hitters Kim Do-Yeong and Koo Ja-Wook will also be helping to carry South Korea’s offense after both hitters were able to hit for an average of over .300 during the KBO season.
South Korea’s first game will take place on November 13. They are tasked with facing Chinese Taipei. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:30 AM EST, and the game will be played at the Taipei Dome in Taipei City, Taiwan.
