World Cup Football Stars Eulogize Kim
By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
Few arenas unite like the world of sport, and late former President Kim Dae-jung perhaps knew this better than most.
For a man whose name is inextricably linked with the Nobel Peace Prize, his contributions to sport in Korea were particularly noteworthy. His support of the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup ― held during his presidency ― was perhaps his most notable achievement in the sector.
During his presidency, Seoul World Cup Stadium was built and it has become Korean football's iconic venue. Kim gave military service exemptions to the national team players who helped the country advance to the semifinals of the World Cup, the best placing in the nation's history. Korea had never won a game on the world's biggest football stage until the 2002 tournament.
``I vividly remember that I escorted him to the stadium during the 2002 World Cup,'' said Korea Football Association (KFA) President Cho Chung-yun, who was the KFA senior director at the time.
``The President visited the locker room to congratulate the players after Korea defeated Portugal. Then national team captain Hong Myung-bo pleaded for the players to be exempted from military service. The president answered positively, and the problem was solved.''
Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung, Al-Hilal defender Lee Young-pyo and Fulham striker Seol Ki-hyeon benefited from the decision, helping them secure moves to foreign leagues.
Cho noted the fundamental role played by Kim ― previously unknown ― that paved the way for Seoul World Cup Stadium to be built.
``Many people objected to the construction. However, President Kim allowed it upon recommendation from KFA President Chung Mong-joon. It was impossible to build the stadium without Kim's backing.''
At the time, some people objected to the plan because it was costly. Korea was struggling to recover from the Asian financial crisis that swept the nation from 1997 to 1998.
``People will be united through football regardless of their race, culture and ideology. I hope the new age of world peace will come,'' Kim said during the World Cup opening ceremony at Seoul World Cup Stadium in June 2002.
The national team's senior coach Jung Hae-soung, who was served as a coach under then manager Guus Hiddink at the time, recalled how Kim was very supportive of the team.
``(The President) supported the national players emotionally as well as financially. He accepted whatever the manager asked.''