[Korea-Japan Future Road] Seung-Yeop Lee “Japanese baseball is a partner, not an enemy… We have to learn what we need to learn”

“In the past, it was a target that had to be defeated unconditionally… Now is the time to absorb the Japanese system from the perspective of a challenger.”

"Japanese players are also very interested in ABS and Kim Do-young...Baseball exchanges are a medium to increase understanding between the two countries."

[※ Editor's note = Yonhap News, a national news agency, will hold the '2026 Future Economy Forum' on November 3 with the theme of cooperation between Korea and Japan. We discuss ways for Korea and Japan to achieve transnational economic cooperation in a rapidly bloc global economic landscape. The forum seeks to explore ways for Korea and Japan to create a step-by-step cooperation system and move toward an economic community, taking note of the fact that the European Union (EU), which was launched jointly by France and Germany, which had been historically at odds for a long time, has established itself as a powerful economic union. Accordingly, Yonhap News publishes interviews every Sunday with people from all walks of life who have been involved in cooperative activities in both Korea and Japan ahead of the forum.]

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Dae-ho Lee = "If in the past Japanese baseball was an 'enemy' that had to be defeated at all costs, it is now a 'companion' that must learn its strengths to advance to the top of the world."

Coach Lee Seung-yeop (50), who transformed from a symbolic figure in Korean baseball to this year's hitting coach for the Yomiuri Giants, the most prestigious team in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), defined the relationship between Korea and Japan as a 'complementary partner' beyond 'competition'.

As baseball in the two countries has different strengths, this means that they must break away from emotional confrontation and grow together by absorbing each other's systems.

In a recent interview with Yonhap News, Coach Lee, who was the 'Yomiuri No. 4 hitter' during his active years, pointed out the differences between Korea and Japan baseball that he experienced on the front lines in Japan and the need for exchange.

The structural differences between the two countries' baseball world lie behind his decision to leave the KBO League, where he served as the head coach of the Doosan Bears, and accept the position of Yomiuri coach this season.

Coach Lee explained, “In Korea, when a former manager becomes a coach, the current manager inevitably feels burdened, effectively blocking opportunities,” and added, “I was able to willingly join Yomiuri at the request of former Yomiuri coach Shinnosuke Abe.”

I completely let go of the weight of my time as a director. He said, “I have no coaching experience in Japan, so I approach it with the mindset of a perfect ‘rookie,’” and added, “I am trying not to be heavy in the coach’s office or on the ground, helping the players play comfortably and working more diligently than anyone else.”

He also added, “As I am the second Korean coach following senior Kim Ki-tae, who served as a hitting coach in the past, I feel a great sense of responsibility to pave the way for juniors who will come to Japan in the future.”

The colors of the baseball games of the two countries seen from the field were clearly different.

Coach Lee analyzed, "Korean baseball is closer to the American culture of enjoying the game while interacting with fans, while Japan has a unique rigidity that focuses a lot on each ball and does not tolerate a single mistake."

He continued, "It's a tight atmosphere that makes you wonder if it would be good to relax a little at times, but there is definitely something to learn from the serious attitude toward the opponent and the tenacity to win."

In particular, he mentioned the thorough preparation of the coaches and said, "During away games, the preparation process is long and detailed, so much so that we gather for meetings starting at 10:30 a.m. I am once again realizing the unique system and professionalism of Japanese baseball."

Exchange is not a one-way street. Although Korean baseball has recently suffered consecutive losses to Japan in international competitions, theories of crisis have emerged, but Yomiuri players also show deep interest in the KBO League's new attempts and players.

Coach Lee said, “Japanese players often ask about the KBO League’s Automatic Pitching System (ABS) and Kim Do-young (KIA Tigers),” and added, “There is also a lot of interest in Korean baseball’s Asian quota system recently.”

What he emphasized throughout the interview was ‘partnership.’

In the world of sports, the special nature of the Korea-Japan match remains, but it should be used as a point for development rather than blind hostility.

Coach Lee emphasized, “The gap in baseball between the two countries has widened, and Korea has become a clear challenger. We must benchmark the good baseball system of Japan, a powerhouse in Asia, and surpass Japan to even hope to be number one on the world stage.”

He concluded by saying, "Thanks to baseball, I have come to know the country of Japan deeply, and Japanese players also show great interest and affection for us, enough to travel to Korea after the season. I hope that baseball in both countries will move forward together by actively learning what they can learn from each other and boldly discarding what they need to throw away."