On March 13 (local time), during the quarterfinals match between South Korea and the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) held at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, USA. South Korean starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin walks off the mound after allowing 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. 2026.3.14 mon@yna.co.krRyu Hyun-jin, considered the best pitcher in Korea of the 21st century, has announced his retirement from the national team.

Ryu Hyun-jin met with reporters after the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) quarterfinals match against the Dominican Republic on March 14 (Korean time) at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, USA. "I think this is it," he said. "It's a regretful way to end, but I was honored to return to the national team and be with the younger players."

Ryu Hyun-jin, who wore the Taegeuk mark for the first time in 16 years since the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, started as the ace pitcher against the Dominican Republic in the WBC quarterfinals that day. He pitched 40 pitches in 1⅔ innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 walks, and 1 strikeout, resulting in 3 earned runs and the loss.

South Korea was unable to withstand the Dominican Republic's powerful lineup and was eliminated from the tournament by a 0-10 mercy rule loss in the 7th inning.

Reflecting on the game, Ryu Hyun-jin said, "It's regrettable, and very regrettable. It was a game filled with much disappointment because we lost."

He added, "We should have given our fielders time to adjust, but we couldn't," blaming himself.

He also expressed his hopes, saying, "It will be a great experience for the young players to compete on such a big stage. I believe our players will do well in many future tournaments. I hope they consider today's game as a starting point and perform well."

On March 13 (local time), during the quarterfinals match between South Korea and the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) held at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, USA. Ryu Hyun-jin shows a disappointed expression after allowing the first run in the bottom of the 2nd inning with one out and runners on first. 2026.3.14 mon@yna.co.kr

When a reporter suggested that Ryu Hyun-jin might be concerned about the lack of clear successors on the current national team, he responded, "Not at all. Competing against the best players in Major League Baseball (MLB) will be a great learning experience. It will also be of great help to Korean baseball."

Ryu Hyun-jin has dedicated himself to Korean baseball for many years.

He was selected for the national team just half a year after his professional debut in 2006 and participated in the 2006 Doha Asian Games. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he pitched 126 pitches against Canada, earning a 1-0 shutout victory and demonstrating his dedication.

He also started the final game against Cuba, guarding the mound until two outs were needed for victory, contributing to Korea's gold medal win.

In the 2009 WBC, he appeared in 2 games as a starter and 3 games in relief, playing a key role in their runner-up finish.

After the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, Ryu Hyun-jin did not wear the Taegeuk mark for a long period.

After his move to MLB in 2013, he was unable to participate in international tournaments due to major surgeries on his elbow and shoulder, which significantly impacted his career.

However, Ryu Hyun-jin, nearing his forties, accepted his country's call and returned to the national team for the first time in 16 years, and to the WBC stage for the first time in 17 years.

On March 13 (local time), during the quarterfinals match between South Korea and the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) held at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, USA. South Korean starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin pitches in the bottom of the 2nd inning. 2026.3.14 mon@yna.co.kr

In the quarterfinals against the Dominican Republic, a matchup described as a "David vs. Goliath battle," Ryu Hyun-jin once again shouldered a heavy responsibility.

He had already decided that this would be his last appearance for the national team and prepared accordingly.

The first inning was not bad.

Against Fernando Tatis Jr., the leadoff hitter for the opposing team (San Diego Padres), Ryu Hyun-jin threw a low-speed curveball at 113 km/h on the 8th pitch of a full-count at-bat, catching him off guard for a looking strikeout.

Having overcome the first major obstacle, Ryu Hyun-jin retired the subsequent batters, Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Juan Soto (New York Mets), with ground balls to the infield, completing the first inning with three up, three down.

On March 13 (local time), during the quarterfinals match between South Korea and the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, USA. South Korea's Ryu Hyun-jin and Noh Kyung-eun watch the game in the bottom of the 5th inning. 2026.3.14 yatoya@yna.co.kr

However, the second inning, with the score tied at 0-0, proved problematic.

The powerful hitters of the Dominican Republic focused on contact rather than full swings, tormenting Ryu Hyun-jin.

Ryu Hyun-jin walked Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto), his former teammate with the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays, who was the leadoff hitter. He then retired Manny Machado on a fly ball to left field, but allowed an RBI triple down the left field line to Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays).

Ryu Hyun-jin threw a low curveball, and Caminero, with a skillful swing reminiscent of golf, managed to hit it for a hit.

Ryu Hyun-jin pitched well, but Caminero hit it even better.

At this point, Guerrero Jr., the runner on first, advanced past second and third and dove home to score, evading catcher Park Dong-won (LG Twins).

After allowing the go-ahead run, Ryu Hyun-jin induced a ground ball from Julio Rodríguez (Seattle Mariners), and in the meantime, Caminero, the runner on third, scored.

On March 13 (local time), during the quarterfinals match between South Korea and the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) held at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, USA. South Korean starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin expresses his disappointment after allowing 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. 2026.3.14 yatoya@yna.co.kr

Ryu Hyun-jin could not overcome the final hurdle. He allowed a walk to Agustin Ramirez (Miami Marlins) and a single to center to Geraldo Perdomo (Arizona), putting him in a precarious situation with runners on first and second with two outs. He then gave up an RBI single to right field to Tatis Jr. before handing the mound over to Noh Kyung-eun (SSG Landers).

Ryu Hyun-jin's final game for the national team concluded in this manner.