"I truly respect and love Guus Hiddink, and I learned a great deal from the head coach," confessed President Kim. Kim said that by leading Team Korea to the semifinal round, Hiddink planted confidence and a positive attitude in Korean people, and underlined the power of unity. "Most of all, Guus Hiddink taught us that talent and ability are priorities," said Kim, emphasizing that Korean people consider Hiddink "a national hero and our closest friend."

"As a president of Republic of Korea, I can bring the honorary citizen back home anytime," joked Kim. When President Kim continued that Hiddink is responsible for harming Korean people’s health by making them stay up all night and go dancing, and breaking the Korean economy by making restaurant owners give out free food, the party burst into laughter. Hiddink thanked President Kim in return, and toasted for prosperity of Korean soccer and the republic.

President Kim awarded presidential citations to the representatives of supporter groups, including the famous Red Devils, in recognition for their effort in the World Cup.

(Kim Min-bae, baibai@chosun.com )