Amateur career
Lee attended Choongang High School in Seoul. In 2003,his last season playing for them,Lee led his team to runners-up at the Phoenix Flag National Championship,finishing third in batting (.450).
In 2004,Lee entered Dongguk University. In July 2006,as a junior at Dongguk University,Lee got his first call-up to the South Korea national baseball team and competed in the team's three friendly baseball matches against the USA national baseball team in Durham,North Carolina,as a starting center fielder. He hit a single off future Orioles top pitching prospect Jake Arrieta in Game 3 but struggled at the plate during the series,going 1-for-6 with a run.
Notable international careers
| Year | Venue | Competition | Team | Individual Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 |  United States | South Korea vs USA Baseball Championship | 1W-2L | .167 BA (1-for-6),1 R |