World Cup semi tops proudest moment for Koreans

/ Korea Times file

Koreans regard its soccer team making the semifinals of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup the proudest moment in the country's history since liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.

The findings are based on broadcaster MBC's survey of 3,200 Koreans, including experts in various fields.

It was followed by "hosting the 1988 Summer Olympics" and "the overcoming of the Asian financial crisis (which hit the country in 1997)."

To the question of what comes to mind when thinking of Korea, responses were the national flag, "Taegeukgi;" the national flower, Rose of Sharon; the World Cup, and a divided country.

Koreans thought "diligence" and "patience" were behind economic and social development following liberation.

To the question of Korea's status, 19 percent said it is a developed country, up tenfold from 1.9 percent that responded so in 2005.