|
World Cup Bonus for South Korean Stars, Urged to Reach Last Eight
 |
|
Park
Ji Sung, front, celebrates his goal against Portugal with
Chong Gug
|
SEOUL,
June 15 (IslamOnline & News agencies) – South Korea's football
heroes got a World Cup bonus Saturday when the government announced
they would be exempt from the obligatory 26-month military service.
The press, meanwhile, hailed the historical advance to the second
round of the World Cup, calling the team to defeat Italy next week and
reach the quarter-finals.
The
South Korean Defense Ministry decision came after the Koreans downed
Portugal 1-0 to reach the World Cup finals' last 16 for the first
time.
The win sparked wild celebrations throughout the country with an
estimated million people thronging the streets of Seoul, reported
Agence France-Presse (AFP).
"The Defense Ministry plans to positively consider and actively
promote ways of giving the players favors in the form of exempting
them from military duty," a ministry spokesman said in a
statement, according to AFP.
The
decision was made in line with the public's wishes to reward the
players and also allow the team to continue practicing without
interruption, he said.
South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung got in on the act bear-hugging the
team's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink and shaking hands with all of the
players.
"Today is the happiest day in the country's history," Kim
told the team at Incheon Munhak Stadium after watching the game.
Skipper Hong Myung-Bo brought up the issue of military service, saying
that it would hinder preparations for the 2006 World Cup finals in
Germany. Kim said he would tell the Defense Ministry to look into it.
In Korea, athletes who win any Olympic medal or a gold in the Asian
Games are eligible for exemption from military service. The
conscription age for South Korean men is 20.
 |
|
South
Koreans newspapers, football frenzy.
|
Ten
of the team's football players are expected to benefit from the
exemption. They include Park Ji-Sung, Seol Ki-Hyeon, Song Chong-Gug,
Lee Chun-Soo and Lee Young-Pyo, Ahn Jung-Hwan and Kim Nam-Il.
Aside from the exemption of military service, there are also material
rewards.
All the players will receive 100 million won (81,000 dollars) from the
Korea Football Association (KFA) as well as a car from Hyundai Motor
Co.
They would receive 200 million won should they move on to the
quarter-finals, and 300 million won if the team competes in the
semi-finals and 500 million won if they win the tournament.
Hiddink will receive 150,000 dollars in cash from the KFA and a sedan
for reaching the last 16.
The coach would receive 200,000 dollars, should the team reach the
last eight, 250,000 dollars if it goes through to the semi-finals,
400,000 dollars for the finals and 800,000 dollars if his men win.
Meanwhile, newspapers in Seoul Saturday splashed their front pages
with banner headlines and large color pictures following Friday's 1-0
upset of Portugal, putting out editorials heaping praises on the
players and their coach.
"We've hit the last 16! Let's go to the last eight!,"
screamed a banner headline of the front page of the Hankook daily
newspaper.
South Korea joined co-hosts Japan in the last 16 by winning Group D
with two wins and a draw.
"Our
players were agile and full of confidence. They overwhelmed Portugal
in fighting spirit and their attacks were dynamic," the daily
said in an editorial, titled "Be proud and let's go to the last
eight.”
"We express our unreserved faith in Coach Hiddink's leadership
and send acclamations to all players including scorers such as Hwang
Sun-Hong, Yoo Sang-Chul, Ahn Jung-Hwan and Park Ji-Sung," it
said.
After delivering on his earlier promise to bring South Korea to the
second round, Hiddink said the expectation of South Koreans was now
reaching an "unrealistic" level, although he made it no
secret that his team now set their eyes on the last eight.
 |
|
South
Korean soccer fans in the City Hall square in Seoul.
|
The
Korea Times said editorially that it was no wonder that a
"Hiddink Syndrome" was sweeping South Korea, with business
firms striving to emulate his leadership style. It praised him for
staying the course despite attacks from opponents.
"The triumph of our players does not only mean football glory,
but also upgrades our international prestige and boosts the morale and
confidence of the people," the English daily said.
The Chosun daily praised the team for opening "a new chapter in
the history" of South Korean football.
"Let's ride on the momentum and get to the last eight," read
the title of its editorial.
"When our warriors beat Portugal, the blood of the 47 million
people flowed in reverse and roars of joy and emotion shook the
land," the editorial said.
|
