Power of Football Game

When North Korea entered quarter finals defeating Italy by `pearl of Orient`, Park poo-ik`s goal in 1966.World cup, military regime of South Korea was shocked like Italy.

If we consider quality of shock, Park Jeong-hee`s regime in South Korea might have been more shocked.

For Italy football fans, it would be all right after losing appetite or fighting with wife for days, however, for Park regime in South Korea, it was `matter of politics` that couldn`t be overlooked like people might wonder what kind of policy in football does this regime have, however, the then situation was serious.

The then, situation of North Korea was better than South Korea and Kim il-sung regime wrapped it by superiority of policy.

Especially, North Korean football boom in Europe was precious gift for the North.

The North was making a strenuous effort to make friends with South Korean students in Europe from long time, and football increased their interest on the North.

`Accident of Dongbaekrim` occurred right after one year from that time.

It was `issue of spy of the North to make the South as communist making East Berlin as strong point` which Central Intelligence service announced in July, 1967.

This issue made demonstration of universities dormant that censured `6.8 rigged election`.

Taking a logical leap, final goal of Park Doo-Ik became gift for settling down military regime in South Korea.

By the way, when the North entered quarter finals defeating Italy, Park Jeong-hee regime thought that South Korean football should not just stay back.

It dragged back` football modernization` as dimension of national policy.

Central Intelligence service Kim Hyung-uk carried gunstock on its shoulders.

Team `yangji` (Sunny spot) that was taken from the precept of CIS, `work in shaded ground and aspire the sunny ground` was born in February, year 1967.

Best players, the then like Kim ho (manager of Suwon Samsung), Kim Jeong-Nam (manager of Ulsan Hyundai) Lee Hoi-taek (manager of Jeonnam dragons) wore uniform of yangji.

The preliminary match with Japan for Mexico World cup that was held in Seoul on 12th October 1969.

Team Yangji, which made two goals in first half, finished the match in draw after conceding two goals in latter half, and President Park Jeong-hee who was watching match, spoke to chief of CIS, Kim Hyung-uk.

“ I think our players didn’t eat properly.”

Chief Kim, after getting a rebuff from President gave special instruction to Yangji players immediately, “let them eat galbi in all the three meals in a day.”

And it was great for them.

The Sejong intersection in Seoul, on the evening of 21st May 2002 after 30 years.

A group of `red devils` started beating drums, gathering on the opposite side of big electronic screen of Dong- A libo.

They shouted `Korea` watching Korea- England match on the screen, which was held at Seoguipo, Cheju.

When diving header by Park Ji-sung entered goal of England after 6 minutes in latter half, center of Seoul was like swept away by their hurrah.

They shouted `Korea` beating drums till late night, despite match getting over.

Korea that is covered all over by wounds of corrupt `Gate`, which can`t be counted besides compromise of President`s sons.

Although we give hope to new presidential candidates, Korea seems to be missing something.

Korea, that the more we think about how we can live with it for 10 years gives more stuffiness to us.

Nevertheless, youth shouts `Korea` at the top of their voice.

What is football game?

However, if there is no love of youth for `Korea`, where could we be interested in this dull world?

Thinking of it, football game is great.

When we succeed entering 16 finals for the first time in history, football is great even imagining people`s hurrah which will pour in nation.

The football, which achieves unification instantaneously by one goal, is marvelous.

However, football can`t present gift to the power any more.

If it is to cover corruption of power utilizing world cup fever as chance, it is blasphemy of their love for ` Korea`.

Even people change interest from corruption series, which continues for years, into foot ball game, it is not their fault at all.

They just want to rest relying on football game, as they are too fed up.

However, the prosecution and the press can`t rest during their resting time.

Without cutting off corruption of the power, we can`t sing hope of tomorrow, no matter how nice gift football game presents us.

And no matter how big people shout `Korea`, it will return as an empty echo.

Tomorrow evening, our Taeguek warriors has final evaluation match with the world`s best team France.

Youth will again shout Korea. It is voice to rise up sick Korea.

It is vital power that makes hope for tomorrow.

It is shouting to shame the corrupted power.

It is power of the football.

Really, what is football?

Jun Jin-woo (Editorial Writer)