By Yi Whan-woo
President Moon Jae-in reaffirmed his commitment to co-host the FIFA World Cup with North Korea when he met FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Russia, Saturday, according to Cheong Wa Dae officials, Sunday.
Moon also referred to a rapid thawing in inter-Korean relations and told Infantino that Seoul was moving closer “little by little” in realizing his vision to co-host the World Cup with Pyongyang.
The conversation took place while Moon and Infantino were watching South Korea's second game of the 2018 World Cup tournament against Mexico in Rostov-on-Don, about 1,000 kilometers south of Moscow, before wrapping up his three-day Russia trip, Sunday.
Moon initially expressed his wish to co-host football's biggest event in 2030, along with China and Japan, when he invited Infantino to Cheong Wa Dae in June 2017.
“President Moon told the FIFA president that the dream of the two Koreas jointly hosting the World Cup is becoming a reality little by little following their first meeting,” a presidential house official said.
Infantino replied that South Korea “should begin preparations from now” and that he was available whenever Moon “hollered for him” for support, according to the official.
“Infantino spoke highly of Moon and said he was loved not only by South Koreans but also FIFA officials as well as those who have nothing to do with football,” the official said. “The FIFA chief said our president's passion, persistence and values that he pursues are finally paying off.”
Moon was the first sitting president to attend South Korea's World Cup match abroad.
He wore a red scarf and cheered for South Korea with first lady Kim Jung-sook in Korea's second Group F match against Mexico at Rostov Arena.
Other distinguished guests included Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, South Korean Ambassador to Russia Woo Yoon-keun, Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu and South Korean football legend Cha Bum-kun.
He met South Korean players in their locker room and encouraged them following their 1-2 defeat to Mexico.
He had a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday before flying to Rostov-on-Don and returning home.