“I declined at first. Because I’m a reserve FA… ”

KT bullpen pitcher Ju Kwon (28) participated in the 2017 WBC as a member of the Chinese national team. The WBC can choose the nationality of the parents according to the competition rules. Ju Kwon was of Korean-Chinese origin, so he was able to pitch for China wearing the five-star red flag. At the WBC in March, which will be held for the first time in six years, Sovereign will wear a Chinese uniform. Of course, Sovereignty is a Korean who has been officially naturalized.

However, one surprising fact was revealed. It is that sovereignty was originally reluctant to join the Chinese national team. On the 12th (hereafter Korean time), at KT’s Spring Camp Ji Kino Sports Complex, he said, “I have already been contacted by China for last year’s postseason.” 스포츠토토

At that time, Ju Kwon politely refused to join the Chinese national team. The reason is that he is a reserve free agent who is qualified to enter the 2023-2024 free agency market. He said, “I was ahead of the FA season, and at first I declined.” However, he opened his mind to China’s repeated requests and decided to join the WBC team.

Sovereignty says, “We are continuing to communicate with China.” However, it is not subject to detailed management from the China Baseball Association. He has not even received a WBC official ball. Of course, KT also has pitchers who go to the WBC, so it is an environment where they can adapt to the official ball.

Ju Kwon digested the spring camp at KT and joined the Chinese national team according to the WBC’s official evaluation match schedule. Korea and China are in the same geography, but sovereignty was accepted by the Chinese Baseball Association on the condition that it not pitch in the Korean game. He said, “I was young in the 2017 competition. I don’t even remember that time. I also want to face famous players in this tournament.”