2002 한·일 월드컵대회와 아시아 체육의 미래 = The 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Soccer and the Future of Asian Sports

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The Korea-Japan World Cup Soccer which was held in Korea and Japan in June, 2002 has taught us a lot of valuable lessons in developing Asian sports in the future. The important lessons learned from the World Cup Soccer as follows.
First the World Cup Soccer enhanced the pride of Asians.
We are concerned that Asians may be behind Westerners in physical fitness and techniques in the world of sports - ball games - as well as in their results. Korea, however, has improved its ranking to win fourth place in the world in soccer games and Japan ranked sixteenth. No one could have expected these good results. This is the fruit of every effort we have made so far. Our sense of self-esteem and pride that we can do everything made us take on Hidink as a National team soccer supervisor. We Koreans had given him full support as we has felt confident that he would lead his team to victory. As a result, our long-cherished dream has come true. Our pride has been enhanced through the world.
Second, the World Cup Soccer have made us Koreans integrate the national spirit and emotion through sports.
Sports contribute to the integration of the national spirit and emotion by creating group consciousness and the love of kindred spirits as well as by relieving social tension and conflict. A cheering party dressed in red T-shirts, that is, the Reds and a crowd of people marching in parade with extra-large national flag of Korea, had made a deep impression on the whole world. The general cohesive forces were gathered by all the Koreans when they shouted "Dae~Han MinGuk" repeatedly at the top of their voice burning with strong patriotism caused the soccer team forming 12 members to take fourth place in the World Cup Soccer. The 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Soccer has left a good example in maximizing the integration of the national spirit and emotion in Korea, along with the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.
However, we Koreans should realize that it is possible to do so in all over Asian countries including Korea and Japan
Finally, the World Cup Soccer can bring about the maximization of economic growth in the country through international sports activities.
According to the nonofficial research institute for economics, a successful World Cup Soccer would bring about economic profits of 100 trillion by improving the image of Korea's enterprises and enhancing a national prestige. Actually, the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Soccer has contributed greatly to the maximization of economic growth by enhancing our national prestige and pride, by improving the image of participating enterprises, by increasing the profits of small businesses and banks and by building up the foundation of the area of economy, and left a surplus of two hundred billion for the organizations in charge of the World Cup Soccer.
As I have considered the facts above, the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Soccer have made a great contribution to the enhancement of Korean's pride, the integration of national spirit and emotion, the maximization of economic gains, But as we have seen it, the possibility of the development of all the Asian countries including Korea will have to be positively evaluated.
Each country in Asia will have to take the lead in attracting such international sports events as the World Cup Soccer Gaines and the Olympic Games to its own sports grounds and stadiums in order to enhance Asians' pride, to integrate regional spirit and emotion, and to maximize economic gains. This will brighten the future of Asian sports ahead.