"Criticism of the national team is a sign of fans' love and interest," says SSG's Jung Jun-jae in candid remarks

*This content was translated by AI.

"I think it is a sign of fans' love and interest."

Jung Jun-jae (23), an infielder for the SSG Landers who played for the South Korean national team at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, voiced his stance on criticism from some baseball fans.

In a post-game interview with the winning player after the match against the LG Twins at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 30th of last month, Jung responded to a reporter's question about receiving criticism despite winning a gold medal by saying, "In a way, that too is fans' love and them showing interest in us... I think so." The baseball national team had also faced mixed reactions after losing to Japan, which was composed of amateur (corporate) players, in the Super Round, and securing a hard-fought victory in the final, despite achieving the feat of winning gold medals at five consecutive Asian Games.

After returning to the country on the 28th of last month, he made his first appearance for his club team that day. With the score tied at 3-3 and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, he hit a walk-off double down the left-center gap off opposing closer Son Ju-young, leading his team to a 4-3 comeback victory.

He expressed hope that his experience with the national team would be greatly beneficial for his future career as a player. He explained the change by saying, "After returning from the Asian Games, I feel more confident. Previously, there was strong pressure to 'do well,' but now it seems I have gained some composure at the plate with a calmer mindset."

Although Jung, 23, has experience with the national team, wearing the Taegukgi mark was his first time as a professional player. He evaluated it positively, stating, "I definitely feel that having experience playing on a big stage is significant," and added, "Because I brought good results back, I find myself going out to play while trusting myself a bit more."

At the Asian Games, he said the final against Japan (September 27) was the most memorable. Jung recalled, "I remember when (Kim) Do-young hit a single in the top of the eighth inning with the score tied at 1-1 and senior (Moon) Bo-kyung scored more runs, and also when we got the final out in the bottom of the ninth inning with a strikeout."

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*This content was translated by AI.