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2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan
Korean Issue |
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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 |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Ulsan
Ulsan is home to the world's largest shipyard as well as many huge
industrial complexes that produce automobiles, machinery and
petrochemicals.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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