Ul산 웨일즈: New City-Backed Baseball Team Launches in Korea

The city of Ulsan officially welcomed its new professional baseball team, the Ulsan Whales, on February 2nd with a franchise-launching ceremony at Munsu Baseball Stadium. This marks the first time a local government has established a professional baseball club in South Korea, a move that’s generating both excitement and questions about the future of the league.

According to a statement released by the city of Ulsan on February 3rd, the Whales began training following the ceremony and will head to Jeju Island on February 12th for spring training, focusing on building team chemistry and physical conditioning. Ulsan will kick off its season on March 20th with the start of the KBO Futures League, competing in the Southern League against teams including the KT Wiz, NC Dinos, Lotte Giants, Samsung Lions, and KIA Tigers, for a total of 116 games.

The Whales’ 35-man roster is taking shape after a tryout process that saw nearly a 10-to-1 applicant ratio, resulting in 26 players selected. The remaining nine roster spots are currently being finalized. Leading the list of notable signings is veteran right-handed pitcher Akitake Okada, 33, who spent nine seasons (2016-2024) with the Hiroshima Carp in Japan’s NPB, posting a career record of 24 wins and representing his country internationally. He impressed scouts at tryouts with fastballs consistently reaching the upper 140s (km/h). Right-hander Ju-i Kobayashi, 25, who played four seasons (2020-2023) with the SoftBank Hawks, is also expected to be a key contributor. Six players with prior experience in the KBO League – Kim Do-gyu (formerly of the Lotte Giants), Sang-kwon Byun (formerly of the Kiwoom Heroes), Bo-seong Choi (formerly of the NC Dinos), Su-in Kim (formerly of the LG Twins) – have also joined the team.

First-year manager Jang Won-jin emphasized a commitment to both on-field success and community engagement. “We are a professional team, and we must win,” Jang told the Dong-A Ilbo. “Our goal for the first year is, of course, to win the championship.”

Players arriving in Ulsan expressed their determination to make an impact. During a team meet-and-greet on February 1st, pitcher Nam Ho shared, “Having experienced being released once before, I’m more motivated than ever to succeed here.” Infielder Shin Jun-woo added, “Just as whales swim in Ulsan, I’ll give it my all to make a splash.”

The Ulsan Whales’ emblem features an orca, symbolizing intelligence, strong teamwork, and tactical precision – core values of the new franchise.

While the launch of Ulsan’s first citizen-funded baseball team is a historic moment, challenges remain regarding financial reliance on the local government and attracting consistent fan attendance. The Whales’ operating budget of 6 billion won for this year is entirely funded by city taxes, raising questions about long-term sustainability. Some citizen groups have already voiced concerns about the allocation of public funds to a Futures League team. The city plans to transition the club to a corporation through public bidding within three years, aiming for financial independence. Ulsan Mayor Kim Du-gyeom stated, “The launch of the Ulsan Whales is not just about starting a team; it’s an opportunity to transform Ulsan into a city that embraces and enjoys sports.”