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2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan  
Korean Issue


Overview of Korean Football (Soccer)

The Korean people by tradition love football.  While baseball may be more popular among the young, football is loved by people of all ages. Some like it because it is simple to learn and play and does not require much equipment; others, because to be good requires such an incredible balance of speed, stamina, coordination and awareness; and still others because they just like to kick things.

Korea was the first country in Asia to field a professional team. The professional league, first established in 1983, changed its name to the Korean League in 1994 and there are 10 teams in the league.  Foreign players began to play from the 1996  season.  Currently 23 foreign players from Brazil, Ukraine, Russia, Romania and other  countries are playing for seven teams.  This league has firmly established Korea as a powerhouse in Asian soccer.  Korea has won the gold medal at the Asian Games three times and has won the Asian Cup twice.  Its youth teams have fared even better; Korea has been the winner of the Asian Youth Championships a total of seven time and runner up six times.

Korea has also enjoyed increasing success in the international arena.  The Republic of Korea is the only Asian nation to qualify for the World Cup Final Competition five times and has made the last four consecutive finals.  In the 1994 World Cup Games, held in the United State, the South Koreans had their best showing ever, registering draws against both Spain and Bolivia, and losing by only a single goal to perennial powerhouse Germany.  At the 1998 Finals in France, Korea failed to Advance to the second round, despite high expectations, but the team did manage to hold Belgium to a draw.  In recognition of its soccer prowess, Korea was chosen to co-host the 2002 World Cup Finals with Japan.  A number of Korean stars have played for foreign pro teams, the most notable probably being Cha Bum-kun, nicknamed "The Panther" who played in the German Bundesliga for almost a decade in the '70s and '80s.  Midfielder Kim Joo-sung, once known as the "Little Sampson" since he claimed that his strength flowed from his long hair, also play in the Bundesliga.

World Cup

Koreans love soccer, or football as it is known outside the US.  Children and young adults play in any vacant lot in the summer much the same way Americans play baseball.  Thus Koreans are excited about co-hosting the 2002 World Cup Finals - first time ever in Asia - with Japan and hope that the championships will put a favorable spotlight on the country in much the same way the 1988 Summer Olympics did.

Ten cities in Korea - including Seoul, Pusan, Taegu and Taejon - will host about half of the games.  The opening ceremony will be held in a new main stadium now under construction in the western outskirts of Seoul.  The stadium will hold a crowd of 63,930 fans, including 805 VIPs and 2,024 members of the press.

In addition, Koreans hope that close cooperation with Japan in the co-hosting of the game will not only make them a great success but will also help heal the wounds of past relations.  The 10 Korean host cities are arranging friendly matches with the 10 Japanese host cities in preparation for the games.

South Koreans also hope that North Korea will be able to share in hosting the World Cup Finals.  At the request of South Korea, FIFA has said that North Korea will be allowed to host two games.  North Korea, however, has yet to respond.

World Cup Emblem

The emblem of the 2002 FIFA World Cup features a stylized depiction of the FIFA World Cup trophy inside a colorful ball-like structure.  The emblem has an overall appearance of a circle, a symbol of the universe for many Asian cultures.  The different colors represent the many different participating countries.  The circle is open at the upper left to indicate the openness of the tournament where every team has a chance at wining the trophy.  The two zeros of the year 2002 are represented by the symbol for infinity, embodying the spirit of eternal unity and the harmonious link between the two hosts as well as among all the participants.

World Cup Mascots

The 2002 FIFA World Cup has three computer-generated mascots,  The main characters in an animated film live high in the sky in a place called Atmozone.  Avid football fans, the three set out to help create a special atmosphere at the FIFA World Cup finals.  The two youngest mascots have many adventure and cause much chaos on their way to the matches in Korea and Japan.  In the end, they help make the 2002 FIFA World Cup the greatest tournament ever by creating an exciting atmosphere among the players and spectators and in the process convey the lesson that harmony is the key to every success.

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Tournament Details

Duration of the Final Competition: May 31-June 30, 2002 (31 days)

Venues: 20 cities (10 in Korea, 10 in Japan)

Duration of the Qualifying Matches: March 2000 - November 2001

Finals: 64 matches (32 in Korea, 32 in Japan) - 32 teams in 8 groups will compete under the league system in the first round.  The top two winning teams in each group will advance to the next round of 16, to be played under the tournament system.

Ticket Sales System

Residents of Korea and Japan should contact the Local Organizing Committee in their respective country to inquire about tickets.  Residents of other countries should contact the FIFA World Cup Ticketing Bureau.  There will be 3 million tickets available to be sold (50% to be sold by FIFA with the remaining 50% by Korea and Japan).  For more information, contact www.worldcup.com.

Admission Ticket Prices
The domestic ticket sales price is the price set for the first phase of ticket sales, and is subject future changes due to possible fluctuations in exchange rates.

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  Domestic Sales (won) International Sales (US$)

Item

CAT1 CAT2 CAT3 CAT1 CAT2 CAT3
Opening Ceremony 500,000 250,000 150,000 500 250 150
Group Matches 150,000 100,000 60,000 150 100 60
Round of 16 225,000 175,000 100,000 225 175 100
Quarter Final 300,000 200,000 125,000 300 200 125
Semi Final 500,000 300,000 175,000 500 300 175
3~4 Place Match 225,000 175,000 100,000 225 175 100
Final - - - 750 500 300

Tourist Attractions in the Venue Cities

Seoul
This 600-year-old capital city has plenty to explore and experience including the ancient palaces, gardens, galleries and theaters as well as colorful traditional markets.

Daejeon
Often called Korea's Silicon Valley, Daejeon is the home of the nation's think tank and some of Korea's best hot springs.  A short ride from Daejon is the market town of Kumsan where 80 percent of the nation's ginseng is collected and distributed.

Incheon
Korea's second largest seaport, Incheon is the main gateway to Seoul and the rest of Korea as well as a transportation hub for Northeast Asia since the new international airport on its island of Yongjong was completed in early 2001.

Daegu
Korea's textile capital, Daegu is the gateway to Hahoe, a traditional village that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom toured during a recent visit to Korea.

Suwon
One of Suwon's oldest ad most beautiful attractions is Hwasong Fortress, a walled city that UNESCO designated as a World Cultural Heritage.  A pleasant blend of old and new, the city is a short ride from various recreational and amusement facilities, and it hosts many festivals throughout the year.

Ulsan
Ulsan is home to the world's largest shipyard as well as many huge industrial complexes that produce automobiles, machinery and petrochemicals.

Jeonju
A lovely city with a small town atmosphere, Jeoju is the home of pansori, Korean fold opera.  It has long been famous for  good food and a love of art and is particularly well-known for its handmade paper products.

Busan (Pusan)
The nation's principal seaport, Busan boasts of Korea's oldest fish market, the Jagalchi Sijang, and is the host to the Busan International Fil Festival.

Gwangju
Endowed with vast agricultural plains and an exceptional artistic sense, Gwangju has retained a special reputation as the center of culinary, musical and literary art.

Seogwipo
Located on Jeju (Cheju) Island, the "Hawaii" of northeast Asia, Seogwipo boasts of its aquamarine waters, beaches, and waterfalls and is a year-round international tourist destination.

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Further Information:

Korean Organizing Committee for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea / Japan
Leema Building 146-1,
Susong-dong Jongno-gu
Seoul, S Korea
Tel: 82-2-2016-2632-3
www.2002worldcupkorea.org

Korea National Tourism Organization
Tel: 82-2-729-9498-9
www.knto.or.kr

Korea Travel Information
Tel: 82-2-1330

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Match Schedule

First Round May 31~June 14

Korea
Group ABCD
  Seoul Incheon Suwon Jeonju Gwangju Daejeon Daegu Ulsan Busan Seogwipo
31 Fri A1 / A2
20:30
                 
01 Sat               A3 / A4
18:00
   
02 Sun         B1 / B2
20:30
      B3 / B4
16:30
 
03 Mon               C1 / C2
18:00
   
04 Tue         C3 / C4
15:30
      D1 / D2
20:30
 
05 Wed     D3 / D4
18:00
             
06 Thur             A4 / A2
20:30
  A1 / A3
15:30
 
07 Fri       B1 / B3
18:00
           
08 Sat             B4 / B2
15:30
    C1 / C3
20:30
09 Sun   C4 / C2
18:00
               
10 Mon       D4 / D2
20:30
    D1 / D3
15:30
     
11 Tue   A4 / A1
15:30
A2 / A3
15:30
             
12 Wed           B4 / B1
20:30
      B2 / B3
20:30
13 Thur C2 / C3
15:30
  C4 / C1
15:30
             
14 Fri   D4 / D1
20:30
      D2 / D3
20:30
       
  Seoul Incheon Suwon Jeonju Gwangju Daejeon Daegu Ulsan Busan Seogwipo

 

Japan
Group EFGH
  Sapporo Miyagi Niigata Ibaraki Saitama Yokohama Shizuika Osaka Kobe Oita
31 Fri                    
01 Sat E1 / E2
20:30
  E3 / E4
15:30
             
02 Sun       F1 / F2
18:30
F3 / F4
14:30
         
03 Mon G1 / G2
20:30
  G3 / G4
15:30
             
04 Tue         H1 / H2
18:00
         
05 Wed       E1 / E2
20:30
        H3 / H4
15:30
 
06 Thur         E4 / E2
18:00
         
07 Fri F1 / F3
20:30
              F4 / F2
15:30
 
08 Sat       G1 / G3
18:00
           
09 Sun   G4 / G2
15:30
      H1 / H3
20:30
       
10 Mon                   H4 / H2
18:00
11 Tue           E2 / E3
20:30
E4 / E1
20:30
     
12 Wed   F4 / F1
15:30
          F2 / F3
15:30
   
13 Thur           G2 / G3
20:30
      G4 / G1
20:30
14 Fri             H2 / H3
15:30
H4 / H1
15:30
   
  Sapporo Miyagi Niigata Ibaraki Saitama Yokohama Shizuika Osaka Kobe Oita

Second Round June 15~30

FINAL 20:00
Yokohama (Sun, 30)
3rd ~ 4th Place Match 20:00
Daegu (Sat, 29)
Korea Japan
Semi Final - 1     20:30
Seoul, (Tue, 25)
Semi Final - 2     20:30
Saitama (Wed, 26)
Quarter Final - A    20:30
Ulsan (Fri, 21)
Quarter Final - B    15:30
Gwangju (Sat, 22)
Quarter Final - C    15:30
Shizuika (Fri, 21)
Quarter Final - D    20:30
Osaka (Sat, 22)
R16-1 15:30
E(1) / B(2)
Seogwipo (Sat, 15)
R16-2 20:30
B (1) / E (2)
Suwon (Sun, 16)
R16-3 15:30
G (1) / D (2)
Jeonju (Mon, 17)
R16-4 20:30
D (1) / G (2)
Daejon (Tue, 18)
R16-5 20:30
A (1) / F (2)
Niigata (Sat, 15)
R16-6 15:30
F (1) / A (2)
Oita (Sun, 16)
R16-7 20:30
C (1) / H (2)
Kobe (Mon, 17)
R16-8 15:30
H (1) / C (2)
Miyagi (Tue, 18)

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Information Provided by the Korean Organizing Committee for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea / Japan


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