The "bitter feud" between South Korea and Japan to host the
2002 World Cup is "slated to reach a climax tomorrow" when FIFA
officials make a final vote in Zurich, according to Willis Witter
of the WASHINGTON TIMES. South Korea has "whipped itself into a
mass frenzy" anticipating the vote and feels that beating Japan
for the bid will "settle old scores" dating back to when Japan
ruled South Korea as a colony from 1910 to 1945. South Korean
officials expect "wild partying" should they win and "possible
riots" should they lose the bid. Japan, however, lacks South
Korea's enthusiasm and some there feel they should just "go ahead
and give the honor to South Korea." Tsuneo Watanabe, president
of Japan's leading newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbum: "To allow
international relations to be harmed by sports is nonsense."
European Soccer officials plan to propose the two nations co-host
the event, but Japan has said, "no deal. It's all or nothing"
(WASHINGTON TIMES, 5/31).
THE PLOT THICKENS: According to the FINANCIAL TIMES,
analysts believe that hosting the World Cup could add at least
$1B to South Korea's domestic economy and increase the sales of
Korean products by $7.5B from the Cup's global exposure. John
Burton and Emiko Terazono write the bidding competition will boil
down to South Korea's "soccer prowess and enthusiasm" vs.
"Japan's financial and infrastructure strengths" (FINANCIAL
TIMES, 5/31).
