The South Korean national baseball team, led by coach Ryu Ji-hyeon, has arrived at the Tokyo Dome, the heart of Japanese baseball, to prepare for their first game of the World Baseball Classic on the evening of March 5 against the Czech Republic. Training sessions included batting practice for about one and a half hours. The team will face the Czech Republic first, followed by matches against Japan, Taiwan, and Australia. Although the Czech Republic is considered the weakest opponent in Pool C, the team must not underestimate them, recalling their past failures against perceived 'weaker' teams in previous tournaments.

Historically, South Korea has had mixed results in the WBC, reaching the semifinals and finals in 2006 and 2009 respectively, but suffering early exits in subsequent tournaments due to unexpected losses. Coach Ryu emphasizes the importance of winning 'according to plan,' especially given the team's past struggles. He has announced that pitcher Song Hyung-jun will start against the Czech Republic, and he urges him and fellow pitcher Jeong Woo-joo to perform well from the outset. The coach highlights that managing pitcher performance according to pre-planned strategies is crucial for progressing in the tournament.

The team is also mindful of the World Baseball Classic's pitching regulations, which mandate rest days based on pitch counts. As they aim to secure a victory against the Czech Republic, they must also conserve their pitching resources for the upcoming matches against stronger teams. Song Hyung-jun expressed his commitment to perform well as the starting pitcher and to meet the expectations of the fans, reflecting the pressure on the team to deliver strong performances in front of a large audience. With past tournament experiences in mind, South Korea aims to start their campaign on a successful note, demonstrating both skill and strategic prowess against the Czech Republic.