Yoon Visits San Diego Baseball School... "You Can Become Great Leaders Through Baseball"

President Yoon Suk-yeol made a surprise visit to a baseball clinic held by the San Diego Padres, who came to Korea ahead of next week’s Major League Baseball opening game, on the 16th, encouraging the participants by saying, "If you love and enjoy baseball, a game of rules, you can become excellent leaders."

President Yoon attended the 'Major Leaguer Participation Children's Baseball Clinic (San Diego Padres Youth Clinic)' held at the baseball field inside Yongsan Children's Garden in the afternoon, which was organized for children from military families and multicultural families. Earlier, in May last year, President Yoon also showed interest in youth baseball by visiting the site of the 2023 Presidential Office Invitational National Youth Baseball Tournament held at the baseball field in Yongsan Children's Garden and encouraging the players.

At the baseball clinic that day, the San Diego Padres team was fully represented by owner Thomas Seidler, president Eric Grubner, general manager A.J. Preller, coaches Hong Sung-heun and Lee Dong-wook, and players including Kim Ha-seong, Ko Woo-seok, Fernando Tatis, and Manny Machado. Park Chan-ho, the representative of the Park Chan-ho Foundation, also attended.

Wearing a Cheonanham T-shirt, President Yoon greeted the children as he entered the baseball clinic and exchanged greetings with coach Hong Sung-heun and players Kim Ha-seong and Ko Woo-seok. President Yoon praised Kim Ha-seong, saying, "I watch when our Kim Ha-seong plays games, and he seems to be doing very well," adding, "He hits so well, really." Kim Ha-seong replied, "Thank you." He also told Ko Woo-seok, "You will have to work hard from now on."

Kim Ha-seong, a player for the Major League Baseball San Diego Padres, is demonstrating batting at the San Diego Padres' children's baseball class held on the 16th at the Yongsan Children's Garden Baseball Field in Seoul, watched by President Yoon Seok-yeol and youth baseball players.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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While sitting on the grass watching the Major League exhibition game with the children, President Yoon stood up at the suggestion of Mr. Park and demonstrated batting. He hit the ball three times in total, sending it once to the infield and twice to the outfield. When President Yoon was about to share his impressions of observing the baseball clinic, the children shouted, "Please extend the weekend," and "Please let us not go to school for a month," to which President Yoon responded with a laugh.

President Yoon said, "This baseball field here in Yongsan belongs to all of you children," introducing, "The Presidential Office has also been involved here for youth baseball, having appointed a director here the year before last." He added, "I think it’s a great opportunity for you to learn baseball together with famous players from the San Diego Padres, a Major League Baseball team in the U.S. It makes me wish I could go back to my childhood and enjoy this as well."

He continued, "You cannot become excellent leaders just by reading books and studying," emphasizing, "If you play sports and love and enjoy baseball, a game of rules, you will not only be healthy when you live in society in the future, but you can also become truly great leaders."

To the child who asked to extend the weekend, he said, "I will consider the issue of extending the weekend," and added, "This stadium is your stadium, so come here often, have fun playing games, and exercise."

To the San Diego Padres officials and players, he expressed, "Welcome to Korea. I understand you arrived yesterday, and with the game coming up the day after tomorrow, I really appreciate you spending this good time with the children of Korea and the children of our allied U.S. military families." He also thanked Mr. Park, who organized the baseball clinic.

Kim Ha-seong said, "It feels like seeing my elementary school self. It’s an honor to wear the Padres uniform and meet such wonderful friends and young youth players like this," adding, "I hope you all look up to players like these and dream big about the Major Leagues. If you work hard and do your best, I believe you can definitely become Major League players, so I hope you stay safe and do well."

Manny Machado also encouraged the children, saying, "You are still very young, so work even harder, keep fighting, and keep dreaming, and you can become like the players here," adding, "These players were once children just like you."

Mr. Park expressed gratitude for President Yoon’s attendance and presented him with a glove commemorating his 30th anniversary since his Major League debut. In return, President Yoon gifted a framed photo taken with Mr. Park at the U.S. state banquet last year. Additionally, as President Yoon left the baseball field, he signed children’s gloves and clothing.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is seen batting himself while youth baseball players watch during the San Diego Padres' children's baseball class held on the 16th at the Yongsan Children's Garden Baseball Field in Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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