Lee Jae-myung, the president, on the 16th noted the performance of national team veteran No Kyung-eun at the recently held World Baseball Classic (WBC), saying the 42-year-old veteran pitcher "left a deep impression."
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) that day, the president said, "When Korea's chance of reaching the quarterfinals was under 5%, his pitching became the starting point of a miraculous turnaround, and the national team dramatically advanced to the main round (quarterfinals)."
In particular, the president said, "Above all, the reason so many were moved is that, despite being 42, he did not give up and disciplined himself as a veteran," adding that No's performance "felt like a message not to give up, even if it's late."
The president encouraged the public, saying, "Even now, there are many in our society who, for various reasons, are frustrated or thinking of giving up," and added, "I believe the challenge and courage No Kyung-eun showed will instill hope and grit in the people."
He went on, "Among countries liberated from colonial rule, South Korea is the only one to have achieved both industrialization and democratization," stressing, "Although circumstances are difficult at home and abroad right now, we will not give up; we will move forward, overcome, and achieve."