In the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, the Koreans advanced to the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Japan. And at the Beijing Olympic Games this past summer, South Korea went undefeated in nine games to capture a gold medal many predicted would go to Japan or Cuba.

The Koreans will look to continue their success on the world stage in March, during the second run of the Classic.

Manager In-Sik Kim, who directed South Korea to its surprising showing during the inaugural World Baseball Classic, returns to the helm.

Kim, currently in his third season managing the Han Wha Eagles, assembled a pitching staff that surrendered just 2.00 earned runs a game during the '06 Classic.

South Korea, which went 3-0 in Pool A play in the inaugural event, opens up against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 6.

Pitching figures to be a South Korea staple again as Kim is noted for his basic pitching-defense approach to success. Besides the inaugural World Baseball Classic, Kim has international managerial experience as skipper of the 2000 Sydney Olympics (bronze medal), Busan Asian Games in 2002 and the Korea-Japan super Game exhibition in 1995.

National pride is always on the line when the Korean club takes the field. But in the first Classic, a military exemption was hanging in the balance, as well. As a reward for reaching the semifinals in '06, the members of the Korean team were given exemptions from the mandatory two years of military service that all South Korean men must fulfill before the age of 30.

The exemption is not expected to be awarded this time around. And that's disappointing to 26-year-old Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, whose Major League career is blossoming just as his military obligation draws near.

But Choo, who has become Korea's most prominent big league player after batting .309 with 14 homers and 66 RBIs in 94 games for the Tribe in '08, still wants to compete.

"I'll try [to play]," said Choo, who was one of the final Korean cuts in 2006. "I want to play but if [the Indians] say no, I can't."

Officially, no roster spots have been filled, though several players have made their desires known. Right-hander Chan Ho Park, who was on the Korean squad in the last Classic, will probably say no.

In '06, Park threw 10 scoreless innings and recorded three saves for Korea, but he had an unremarkable 7-7 season for the Padres. He complained that the Classic had affected his preparation.

This time around, Park, who is a free agent, will be more focused on proving himself to a Major League club than pitching for his country.

"It depends on my Major League situation," he said when asked about his interest in the Classic.

Park could be replaced in the closer's role by Chang-Yong Lim, who had 33 saves for the Yakult Swallows this past season and has expressed a desire to play for the Korean Classic team.

As much success as Korea has had in international competition in recent years, the number of Korean Major Leaguers is startlingly low. Choo and Park were the only active big leaguers from Korea at the end of the '08 season.

"About six or seven years ago, baseball became a big sport in Korea," Choo said. "Now, soccer is the bigger sport. In the 2002 World Cup, the soccer team did really well [co-hosting the event and finishing in the semifinals]."

But Koreans who participate in baseball make it more than just a passion. It is a profession.

Choo is one of many young Koreans who went to a baseball academy rather than a standard high school.

"We have more focus on the job," Choo said. "You can't do anything else if you don't make it."

The Olympic gold medal is proof positive that the Koreans have the talent to make it far in the Classic, in which they'll compete in Pool A in Japan, alongside China, Chinese Taipei and Japan. Play begins March 5.

The Koreans could be hurt by the absence of first baseman Seung Yeop Lee, who has indicated that he will skip the Classic to focus on preparation for the '09 season with the Yomiuri Giants. In '06, Lee tied Ken Griffey Jr. for the Classic lead in RBIs with 10. He also competed on the Olympic gold-medal squad.

On the mound, the Koreans rode right-hander Jae Seo to a pair of wins, thanks to his 0.64 ERA in 14 innings of work. Seo, who last pitched in the Majors for the Rays in 2007, could be back after pitching for the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball League this past season.

Choo, for one, hopes the Korean squad does well in the Classic, with or without him, because he'd like to see the sport once again reach prominence in his native land.

"I hope Korean people love to watch the Major League Baseball games," Choo said. "I hope a lot of kids play baseball and more high school and pro teams play baseball."