[Editorial] More Precious Than Victory

They fought well. Being crushed by archrival Japan right on the threshold to the finals was unfortunate, but a single loss does not wash away the pride. The Korea's baseball team showed the world Korea's fighting spirit and what she can do, and by doing so scored something more precious than victory. We applaud and encourage the team members who fought so well.

These "baseball Olympics" united the whole country for the second time since the World Cup. Public spaces and were filled with cries of "Go Korea!. Koreans from around the United States gathered in San Diego and turned it into home turf. Awakening young people who can barely speak Korean to the pride of the Korean people is something you wouldn't change for anything.

If you watched closely it was not a freak accident of nature or sudden gush of luck. In the course of beating the powerful U.S. and beating Japan twice, Korea showed that it earned its victories with genuine ability. it played perfect matches that required more than mental strength and confidence. Now no one doubts that Korea plays solid, world-class baseball.

The rapid maturation of Korean baseball shows you that our society is overcoming the side effects of hyper-fast economic growth and is building up real ability. Korea's strength in film, music, and broadcasting has created a "Korea wind" around the world that has already sustained itself for years. Korea's semiconductor, mobile phone, and automobile industries compete on the global market, but they are competitive without having to rely on cheap labor anymore. "Made in Korea" now means solid basics and precision. Winning recognition in the land of baseball awoke us to a sense of confidence that we can squarely compete with the world in other areas as well.

One should guard against pride at Korea's standing in the world becoming blind patriotism, which was something encouraged by the host nation's unilateral team pairing and repeatedly bad refereeing. The tournament was a battle between nations, and Korea, the U.S., and Japan have a relationship full of subtleties. In Japan even prime minister Junichiro Koizumi was rooting for the national team, and the media in both countries stirred up emotions with agitative phrases and slogans. Expressions of impatience and feelings of inferiority do not go with truly friendly competition.

The Korean team left a deep impression during the whole process the mature and modest way players carried themselves. They won one victory after another by doing their best and maintaining mental strength until the very end. Japanese conceit and American arbitrariness were put to rest by the team's confidence and ability.

For days, Korean baseball touched and excited the whole country. Everyone has cultivated that pride and confidence; now let everyone put it to work in other areas as well.

The Hankyoreh, 20 March 2006.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]