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Guus Hiddink''s Honorary Citizenship
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Organized by the Korean World Cup Organizing Committee and the Korean Football Association, a post-World Cup festival was held in Gwanghwamun, Tuesday afternoon, celebrating the successful hosting of the international soccer event and Team Korea¡¯s historic achievement of advancing to the semifinals. Some 100,000 citizens and the Red Devils supporters again filled the streets of downtown Seoul.
Cars carrying team head coach Guus Hiddink and national team squad left the COEX in southern Seoul at 6:30pm and paraded for an hour and a half to Gwanghwamun. At the same time, popular singers and dancing teams performed on stage there. The players was greeted by massive cheers of the gathered crowd upon arrival at the festival site.
Hiddink received honorary citizenship for his contribution of leading the Korean squad to the semifinal presented by President Kim Dae-jung. With the honorary citizenship, Hiddink would be given special attendance in the immigration process of his entry and stay in the country in the future. According to the current Korean Nationality Act, Hiddink is eligible for special naturalization for foreigners with contribution to the state, but the Ministry of Justice decided to present an honorary citizenship as Hiddink wished to maintain his Dutch nationality.
In addition the coach received the Cheongryung Order, the highest honor in sports, and the players were awarded Maengho Order. The Red Devils supporters showed off their cheering routines, followed by interview session with the players.
Celebratory festivals were held concurrently in nine other cities which hosted World Cup matches.
(Lee Dong-hyeok, dong@chosun.com )
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