Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung says he will consider exempting players on the national baseball team from military service if they do well in the World Baseball Classic next month.

Yoon on Tuesday said he will consider the matter if the Culture and Tourism Ministry so requests in a bid to raise team morale and respect the opinions of sports fans.

Korea Baseball Organization Commissioner Shin Sang-woo has urged the draft exemption for players if the team advances to the quarterfinals, as was given to the soccer team in 2002 for reaching the second round of the World Cup.