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.

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