“Is Ha Hyeon-seung playing?” Taiwan keeps asking as South Korea’s U-18 baseball stars draw scrutiny

“Is Ha Hyeon-seung playing?” Taiwan kept asking ahead of the 14th Asian Youth Baseball Championship, highlighting the attention surrounding South Korea’s key players.

The tournament’s competing countries showed particular interest in Ha Hyeon-seung of Busan High School and Eom Jun-sang of Deoksu High School, identified as pillars of South Korea’s pitching and batting lineup.

The attention came at an official event in Taipei on the day before the championship opened. Coaches and captains from all eight participating countries attended, with surrounding teams closely watching South Korea’s leading prospects.