Kim Hyung-jun of the NC Dinos has secured a position in the South Korean lineup for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) as a replacement for Choi Jae-hoon, who suffered a finger fracture during training. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced on the 10th that Kim would step in due to Choi's injury, which necessitated a change in the team's roster as Choi was slated to share catching duties with Park Dong-won from LG Twins. Despite missing the previous national team selection due to rehabilitation, Kim previously contributed significantly to the team's success by winning a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

In a statement issued through the NC Dinos, Kim expressed his excitement and pride about representing South Korea in such a prestigious event, emphasizing that it has been a personal aspiration of his. He acknowledged the weight of wearing the national team jersey and conveyed his commitment to performing well. Although he expressed disappointment about not being able to complete the training camp with his teammates, Kim highlighted the advantage of getting to know the new pitchers' pitches and conditions, which he believes would positively impact his preparation for the upcoming season.

As Kim was undergoing training in Tucson, Arizona, he departed for Korea on the same day, joining teammates Kim Joo-won and Kim Young-kyu, who were already selected for the WBC team. Under head coach Ryu Ji-hyeon, the WBC squad is set to begin their collective training in Okinawa, Japan, starting February 16, with their first group stage match against the Czech Republic scheduled for March 5 at Tokyo Dome.