And so the 2002 World Cup Korea/Japan comes to a close. The whole event is over after a month, but for us it has been a long journey since the location of this year's event was chosen six years ago. A we bring this journey to a close, we feel a satisfying sense of pride.

Korean football was a fresh shock for the world football community. The passion of Korean football players who run until they drop dealt a sharp blow to the “aristocratic football” of the powerhouses that are full of stars hardened by money, play football that just goes through the motions, and then complain when they've lost. It's why even though we didn't make it to the final, the world media are saying that Korean football is “most deserving to win” and the “new successor of world football.”

We won more than the simple score of making it to the final four. In the waves of red formed by 47 million that had become one, we found confidence, a very precious resource. We found reason for hope in a young generation that knows when to go crazy and when to control themselves, and we saw an eruption of patriotism in the new fashions based on the Korean flag. In the respect and admiration coming from places around the world, we heard a new recognition for brands that say “Made in Korea.”

Everyone worked hard. The task before us now is to take this achievement and apply it to politics, economics, society, and culture. It is sad that at this proud moment we have to learn that innocent young people died in a noisy gun battle in the West Sea.
(July 1, 2002)