President Lee congratulates baseball team for great feat

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak praised South Korea's
national baseball team on Tuesday for what he called its "achievement greater
than victory" as the team finished second in the World Baseball Classic.
The South Korean team lost 3-5 to Japan in the finals of the 16-nation tournament
that ended in Los Angeles on Monday (local time).
"I thank our players for doing their best with great love for their country. I
believe the confidence the players and our people won through the tournament has
greater value than victory," Lee said in his personal message to the team.
The president then called the team's manager, Kim In-sik, to congratulate him on
his achievement, according to the presidential office.
"Our people are grateful and proud because you, Manager Kim, and our players
competed against the world's top teams fair and square," Lee was quoted as
saying.
Kim expressed regrets for not winning the title.
The president then added another compliment, saying the team's hard work to
secure second place meant more than victory.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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