World Cup Bid Committee Named
By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
Korea Football Association (KFA) geared up for hosting the 2022 World Cup as kicking off the bidding committee in a hotel in Seoul, Wednesday.
The Korea football governing body appointed former foreign minister Han Seung-joo as president of the committee. The 68-year-old former Korea University professor has experienced in foreign affairs and international relationships serving as an ambassador in the United States from 2003 to 2005.
Han also had close relationship with former KFA president and FIFA vice president Chung Mong-joon and has worked for the Asan Institute for Policy Studies as director, which Chung established in February 2008.
``I feel huge responsibility to take this position. I think the possibility to host the event will increase if many people support us,'' Han said.
The scholar-turned-to-diplomat anticipated the host of the football event will contribute for the peace of the Korean Peninsula.
``World Cup can be good chance for both Korean to cooperate. If we can bid the World Cup, some games can be held in the North Korea. It is a good point in the bidding competition as well as peace for Korean Peninsula. It may be turning point for national development.''
Han admitted he had not many chances to play football, but argued his diplomatic experiences are assets for the bidding.
``Frankly speaking, I played baseball when I was teenager. I did not have many chances to play football at the time. However, I know very well of the rules of the sport. I worked for the KFA as counselor, and had met many FIFA officials during the 2002 World Cup. My diplomatic background also will be asset to meet foreigners.''
The former deputy ambassador in the United Nations Seo Byung-won was appointed to help Han as secretary general of the committee.
KFA appointed 54 commissioners from various fields of Korean society.
Chung and former prime minister Lee Hong-koo, Korea Sports Council president Park Yong-sung were appointed as commissioner as well as actress Son Sook, actor Ahn Sung-ki, and singer Lee Hyo-ri.
England, United States, Russia, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, Portugal-Spain, and the Netherlands-Belgium applied to host the 2018 or 2002 World Cup to the FIFA. South Korea and Qatar has submitted the application only for the 2022 event.
FIFA will announce the host nations of both World Cups in December 2010.