S. Korea sets final WBC roster

SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea finalized its 28-man roster for the World
Baseball Classic (WBC) on Monday, amid hopes for a repeat of the gold medal feat
at the Beijing Olympics last year.

Outfielder Choo Shin-soo of the Major League team Cleveland Indians and pitcher
Lim Chang-yong of Japan's Yakult Swallows made it onto the team for the first
time.
Left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin, who scored two wins against Canada and Cuba at the
Olympics, and pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun, who claimed an impressive win in the
semifinals against Japan, were also selected.
Team Korea, led by manager Kim In-shik, will begin its regional preliminaries
with a match against Taiwan on March 6. The team had advanced to the semifinals
at the 2006 WBC, the inaugural competition, with Japan taking the championship.
Phillies pitcher Park Chan-ho and infielder Lee Seung-yeop of Japan's Yomiuri
Giants, both of whom played leading roles in the inaugural WBC tournament, were
not on the list as they had previously announced their decision to concentrate on
their professional clubs.
Short stop Park Jin-man of the Samsung Lions, lauded for his superb defense at
the last tournament, was also excluded due to a shoulder injury. Lotte Giants's
Park Ki-hyuk will replace him.
South Korea will vie against Japan, China and Taiwan in the preliminaries. Only
two teams can advance to the second round of the 16-nation tournament that begins
March 14 in the United States.
The finals will be held March 23 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
The following are the names of South Korea's 2009 WBC squad:
Pitchers: Bong Jung-geun (LG Twins), Chong Tae-hyon (SK Wyverns), Hwang Doo-sung
(Woori Heroes), Jang Won-sam (Woori Heroes), Jong Hyun-wook (Samsung Lions), Kim
Kwang-hyun (SK Wyverns), Lee Jae-woo (Doosan Bears), Lee Seung-ho (SK Wyverns),
Lim Chang-yong (Yakult Swallows), Oh Seung-hwan (Samsung Lions), Ryu Hyun-jin
(Hanhwa Eagles), Son Min-han (Lotte Giants), Yoon Suk-min (Kia Tigers)
Catchers: Kang Min-ho (Lotte Giants), Park Kyung-oan (SK Wyverns)
Infielders: Choi Jeong (SK Wyverns), Jeong Keun-woo (SK Wyverns), Kim Tae-kyun
(Hanhwa Eagles), Ko Young-min (Doosan Bears), Lee Bum-ho (Hanhwa Eagles), Lee
Dae-ho (Lotte Giants), Park Ki-hyuk (Lotte Giants)
Outfielders: Choo Shin-soo (Cleveland Indians), Kim Hyun-soo (Doosan Bears), Lee
Jin-young (LG Twins), Lee Jong-wook (Doosan Bears), Lee Taek-keun (Woori Heroes),
Lee Yong-kyu (Kia Tigers).
brk@yna.co.kr
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