Korea, A Passionate Country

The national image of Korea has soared overseas with its successful hosting of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

According to a survey conducted by the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and commissioned by Donga Ilbo, the world is now seeing Korea as a positive and dynamic country.

Playing a major role in improving Korea`s prestige is miraculous victories of the Korean football squad, its united team spirit and orderliness and enthusiastic support of Korea`s football fans, who have painted the nation red.

In a previous survey conducted in May just before the World Cup kicked off on 12,793 people in 72 countries by KOTRA, 33% answered a divided nation as Korea`s image followed by the World Cup with 29%, rapid development with 25% and the 1988 Olympics with 13%. Only 28% of respondents said that they knew Korea well.

But with the World Cup being held in Korea, people across the world say that words like a football powerhouse, a dynamic country, Red Devils and an IT super power came to mind when they thought of Korea. And as enthusiastic street cheering has dominated headlines of the media all across the world, an increasing number of people think that Korea is a passionate and dynamic nation.

Yoo Jae-soon, the assistant director of the Frankfurt headquarters of Samsung Electronics said, "The skyrocketing brand image of Korea has far greater impact than a advertisement worth hundreds of billions of won. Oliver Kahn, a goal-keeper of the German team once said that the enthusiastic support of the Korean fans is the last and the most beautiful stage of football. In the US, people were surprised and impressed by a news report that more than 1 million fans, who gathered in front of the Seoul City Hall and Gwanghwamun, cleaned up the sites after a street cheering.

Many people think that Korea`s social and cultural level has already been upgraded to that of advanced nations.

Byong-Ki Lee Kwang-Hyun Kim eye@donga.com kkh@donga.com