By Gamini Perera
In the Sunday Island of April 14, 2002, under the headline: "Asia hosts first-ever World Cup 2002" we described the venues in Japan where the international world cup championship which begins on May 31 and culminates on June 30 will be staged.

Today, we feature the 10 cities, where the World Cup 2002 matches will be played in South Korea.

In all, there are 64 matches, 32 in Korea and 32 in Japan. Korea, is a peninsular country of rugged mountains and sparkling waters that dangles like a gem from the northeast corner of the Asian continent. Though lacking in natural resources, such as oil and minerals, the country has an abundance of well-educated, forward-looking people, who are leading Korea into the information age by developing internet-related technology and venture businesses that are in the forefront of world industry. The country has a long history of thousands of years: Legend has it that the nation was founded in 2333 B.C. by a man named, Dangun from whom Koreans have descended.

Venues

Now, we take you to Korea’s ten venue cities where the World Cup 2002 will be staged. Korea, is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2002 with Japan.

SEOUL — Where the past, present and the future is blended in harmony. Seoul’s metro subway system is safe and clean, with signs in English and regarded as one of the most convenient modes of transportation. Since its opening in 1974, the Seoul subway system has undergone a remarkable transformation and currently has eight subway lines measuring 287 kms. in total distances, with 262 stations providing convenient connections to every direction. The Seoul Stadium, venue for the opening match, is located in Sangam Mapo-gu and holds a seating capacity of 64,640 seats. It was completed on November 10, 2001.

INCHEON — Is the dynamic city of trade in Korea. The subway No. 1 line transfers one to Incheon Subway systems at Bupyeong Station. Get-off at Munkak Station (the World Cup Stadium), which takes a little more than an hour to reach. It is located 28 kms. west of Seoul. The seating capacity is 50,256 seats and it was completed on December 2, 2001.

SUWON — Is the city of filial piety. From the Incheon airport a limousine bus runs every 20 minutes and takes 90 minutes to reach the stadium. Suwon is situated in the mid-southern area of Gyeonggi Province situated in the central area of the Republic of Korea. It is located 46 kms South of Seoul and the seating capacity is 43,138 seats. It was completed on May 13, 2001.

DAEJEON — The futuristic city of technology and science. It is located in the heart of the country. Daejeon is a gateway to three southern provinces of the nation, as well as a transportation hub. From the Daejeon Station the bus bound to the World Cup stadium is bus No. 104 which operator every 12 minutes and bus No. 40 and 140 every 8 minutes

The stadium is located 152 kms south of Seoul and has a seating capacity of 41,024 seats. It was completed on September 13,2001,.

JEONJU — Is the city of art and culture. One can reach the stadium from the Gunsan Airport, 60 kms from Jeonju Station, 12 kms from express bus terminal 8.5 kms from Jeonju Core Hotel, 10 kms. It is located 230 kms south of Seoul and has a seating capacity of 42,477 seats. The stadium was completed on November, 8, 2001.

GWANGJU — Is famous for a bright, romantic city of the arts. It is the fifth largest city in Korea with a population of 1.3 million. Gwangu is also famous for its food, in particular its "traditional menu" featuring an assortment of healthy dishes guaranteed to leave an unforgettable impression on tastebuds. One can get there from Gwangu airport, 9.3 kms. from Gwangu Station, 6.4 kms. from the Gwangcheon terminal 4.7 kms and from downtown, bus Nos. 16, 22, 34, 36, 37, 106, 583 which takes 20 to 30 minutes to reach. It is located 320 kms. south of Seoul and the Stadium has a seating capacity of 43,121 seats and was completed on November 13, 2001.

DAEGU — Is a leading fashion city in a beautiful environment. Following Seoul and Busan, Daegu is the country’s third-largest city with a population of 2.5 million. One can get to the stadium from the Daegu airport in a taxi in 30 minutes. From the East Daegu station it is 10 kms. from the Daegu station, 11 kms. from express bus terminal 10 kms and from the Daegu metropolitan city hall which is 10 kms. The stadium is situated 327 kms. south of Seoul and can accommodate 65,857 spectators. The stadium was completed on May 20, 2001.

ULSAN — Is the cradle of Korea’s industrial facilities. It is a beautiful port city situated in the southwest, bordered by the sea to the east and high mountains to the west. One can get there from the Ulsan airport, 17.9 kms. from Ulsan station, 10.2 kms. from express inter-city bus terminal 9.1 kms. and from the Ulsan metropolitan city hall, 4.5 kms. The seating capacity here is 43,512 seats and it was completed on April 28, 2001.

BUSAN — Is a beautiful port city. Because of its size, Busan, the nations’s best known port, is considered Korea’s second capital. It is the host city of the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 14th Asian Games in 2002. From Gimhae international airport 18.5 kms. from Busan station, 11 kms. from Busan express bus terminal 13 kms. from Seobu (West) 13 kms. from Busan metropolitan city hall, 2.0 kms. and from the international ferry terminal, 13.4 kms. It is located 430 kms. south of Seoul and the seating capacity of the stadium is 53,926 seats. The stadium was completed on September 16, 2001.

SEOGWIPO — Is an island of dreams and fantasies. The Jejudo island has often been traditionally referred to Samdodo, an island of three many attributes, characterising the island’s abundance in three features, rocks, wind and women. From Jeju international airport, 45 kms. from Jeju inter-city bus terminal, 46 kms. from Seogwipo inter-city bus terminal, 4 kms. and from Yeondong of Jeju city 59 kms. It has a seating capacity of 42,256 seats and the stadium was completed on December 9,2001.

A global festivity

The 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan is the first global festivity of the 21st century. It is the first time for the FIFA World Cup to be held in Asia. Korea and Japan are making all-out effort to display unity and harmony in co-hosting this grand international event.

The FIFA World Cup is a global event enjoyed not only by football fans, but also by people all around the world. During the FIFA World Cup held in France in June of 1998, around 37 billion viewers around the world watched the FIFA World Cup matches with cheers and sighs. During the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Korea/Japan some 42 billion people are expected to watch the football through all communication channels, via on-line or off-line means such as, the internet and TV.

The people of Korea are ready to welcome overseas visitors and spectators making this upcoming 2002 FIFA World Cup, the most unforgettable and impressive global festivity ever, the memory of which will remain for a lifetime in the hearts of people around the world.

Spectators

The number of people who will visit the World Cup Stadiums is estimated to reach 1.6 million, including 800,000 from Korea and Japan. Under the assumption, including players, referees, FIFA representatives, media corps and sponsors, are expected to visit Korea for the 2002 FIFA World Cup matches which expects around 400,000 spectators. Around 13,000 participants, including players, referees, FIFA representatives are expected to visit Korea for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.