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| MLB free agent pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin speaks during an event on athletes' human rights at the Olympic Parktel, eastern Seoul, Friday. At the event, Ryu was appointed an honorary ambassador to promote human rights in sports. Yonhap |
By Kim Hyun-bin
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has appointed Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin as an honorary ambassador to promote athletes' human rights.
The appointment was made at the commission's ceremony to declare an "oath for human rights in sports," at the Olympic Parktel in eastern Seoul, Friday.
According to the NHRCK, the ceremony is part of a campaign to eradicate violence and verbal abuse in sports.
It said Ryu agreed on the need to enhance human rights in sports, especially for young athletes, and accepted the ambassador job without pay.
"I am grateful to be appointed as the honorary ambassador," Ryu said during the ceremony. "I decided to accept it as I, as an athlete, know about the issue.
"I was surprised how young athletes were respected in the U.S. It was good to see leaders give encouragement and praise to young athletes instead of pointing out their mistakes.
"If my soon-to-be-born child wants to be an athlete, I will give my support. I will not pressure him or her but only give compliments during training."
Other famous Korean sports stars, including retired figure skater Kim Yuna, footballer Lee Dong-kuk and baseball slugger Lee Seung-yuop, also attended the ceremony.
Earlier this week, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced its first official star squad and Ryu, who recorded a 2.32 ERA while playing for the Dodgers, was selected as one of five starting pitchers on the All-MLB Second Team.
In 2006, Ryu spent the beginning of his professional baseball career in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) with the Hanwha Eagles. The left-hander dominated the KBO and was picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2013 to 2019 seasons.
He is now a free agent but many experts believe a reunion with the Dodgers is likely.
