500-day countdown heralds World Cup

Korea and Japan, co-host countries of the 2002 World Cup tournament, held a variety of events to pledge a successful hosting of the international event Tuesday, 500 days before the opening of the games.

In Korea, ceremonies to open a World Cup operation headquarters were held in a stadium or a city hall in 10 host cities, including the World Cup main stadium in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu in Seoul, entering the World Cup system in earnest. An event to name the mascot of the World Cup will lead to announcement of the final results April 26, 400 days before the World Cup opening through a global vote.

Japan, which has operated the World Cup branches in hosting cities since two years ago, held lighting ceremonies to herald the 500-day countdown before the opening in every stadium across the country, pledging to make full preparations.

The official name of the 2002 World Cup is the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan. It was the decision of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

Chung Mong-Joon, co-chairman of the 2002 World Cup organization Committee and chairman of the Korea Football Association, held a press conference with foreign journalists at the Korea Press Center Tuesday.

On the recent move by the Japanese World Cup organization committee to call the tournament the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan on the application for the domestic ticket sales, Chung said, ¡°The FIFA executive committee made a decision in 1996 that Korea would host an opening game and made the official name the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan on the condition that Japan would hold a final game. Accordingly, I hope, Japan follows the decision.¡±

On a lighter note, Chung said, ¡°I believe that the Korean national football team could attain the goal of entering the ranks of the top 16 football teams in the 2002 World Cup. The key reason behind the sluggishness of Korean football team was poor basic facilities, including the shortage of practice grounds. However, the Korean football will develop significantly in the future, as we have had seven football-exclusive stadiums on the occasion of the World Cup.¡±