Veterans of the Korean War and their families have organized a cheering squad to root for the World Cup soccer teams of countries that participated in the Korean War. An official of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Friday that soldiers that fought in the Korean War and their children have put together World Cup cheering squads of about 500 people and are planning to cheer for France, Turkey, Denmark, the Republic of South Africa, and the US, all countries that participated in the Korean War.

According to region, they are planning to root for the preliminary games of Denmark in Ulsan, France in Busan, South Africa in Daegu, Turkey in Incheon, and the US in Daejeon. Veterans' families bought about 1,500 World Cup tickets last year and are planning on various events such as welcoming parties, training camp visits, sight-seeing tours of former war places, and visits with former participants in the war.

(Yoo Yong-won, kysu@chosun.com )