Seoul, Korea, April 16, 2026: Ryu Ji-hyun, who managed Korea to the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic last month, has been nominated for the same skipper role for the upcoming Asian Games, Yonhap News reports.
The Korea Baseball Softball Association announced Wednesday, April 15 it had tapped Ryu as the national team skipper for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya City and Aichi Prefecture, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
Ryu's appointment is pending approval by the KBSA's board of directors and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, which oversees all national team affairs at international multisport events.
The KBSA said it interviewed managerial candidates last Friday, and Ryu received high marks with his leadership and analytical skills, along with his plans to run the national team at the Asian Games.
Korea will go for its fifth consecutive Asian Games gold medal in Aichi-Nagoya.
Ryu's contract with the national team ran out after the World Baseball Classic, in which Korea lost to the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals. It was the country's first trip to the knockout phase since 2009.
Unlike at the WBC, Korea will not have the services of major league players at the Asian Games. Only those who play in the Korea Baseball Organization, plus possibly some amateur players, will be available.