The Koreas


	June 29, 2002	atimes.com

The Koreas

COMMENTARY
Sport is all about losing, too
Ho hum, not everyone is enamored with soccer in general and the World Cup in particular, notably the denizens of North America. David Simmons, who happens to hail from that particular geographical region, grapples with the issue of the sport's otherwise global popularity, and reminds that for every winner in the game, there is a loser, too. (Jun 28)
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World Cup Diary
KT to carry on with popular IT tours after Cup; Koizumi gives Schroeder a lift to final; Hand-wringing over July 1 holiday; Seoul bourses to close Monday ... (Jun 28)
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THE ROVING EYE
Back to business (not) as usual
The World Cup dream is finally over for South Korea's football team, succumbing to Germany after bagging a string of high profile scalps. But life goes on, and with presidential elections due in a matter of months, powerhouse businessman Chung Mong-joon, closely associated with the team's success, is well placed to stake his claim at the head of a revitalized country. Pepe Escobar reports. (Jun 26)
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Korea's marketing strategy still in the game
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THE ROVING EYE
South Korea's RED economy
South Korea is awash in red, from the playing kit of the national soccer team to the millions of fans draped in red as they celebrate the exploits of their sporting heroes. But RED has also come to symbolize the Korean economy - resilient, enthusiastic, dynamic - which has received a fillip beyond imagination on the back of the success of the soccer team. Pepe Escobar reports in the second article of a series on South Korea and the World Cup. (Jun 25)
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THE ROVING EYE
Korea's Red Devils: The pride of Asia
South Korea's phenomenal - and unexpected - success in the World Cup has turned the streets of the country red with millions of fans garbed in the colors of their soccer heroes. But the feelings of joy that sweep the nation are not just about soccer, writes Pepe Escobar in the first of three reports, they reflect a newfound national pride. (Jun 24)
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Co-hosting hurts Korea's World Cup tourism
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Asylum row over - for now
A 10-day diplomatic wrangle between South Korea and China over North Korean asylum seekers has ended with an agreement to let 26 defectors fly to South Korea. But while Beijing admitted its security personnel were overzealous in the affair, Chinese officials stopped short of apologizing. (Jun 24)
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Kim eager to strengthen ties with North Korea
With the World Cup revitalizing South Korea's global image, President Kim Dae-jung has high hopes for a vested effort in unifying Korea. But reluctance in Pyongyang is an obstacle. (Jun 24)
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Asylum bids hurt China's neighborly ties
With an increasing occurrence of North Koreans making dashing attempts to enter foreign embassies in China, Beijing is feeling the brunt of the thorny issue's consequences. And with the US tossed into the fray, the situation only gets messier. (Jun 21)
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World Cup fever challenges Korea's six-day week
Everyone in South Korea wants to watch the national soccer team battle Spain in the World Cup on Saturday afternoon. But Korea, unlike other developed economies, considers Saturday a regular work day. While many employers are going with the flow, others are stubbornly insisting that their employees turn up as usual. (Jun 21)
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Hero fuels cosmetics sales

PYONGYANG WATCH
The crab who would be a shark
Shrimp, whales, dolphin, crab: such are the metaphors that dominate the stormy seas of Korean geopolitics. Shifting alliances have made navigating these seas far more complicated of late, writes Aidan Foster-Carter, noting that North Korea's dear leader in particular would do well to chart a new course. (Jun 20)
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Red Syndrome fires up Korean society
The stunning success of underdogs South Korea at the World Cup soccer championships has fueled nationwide enthusiasm that has spread far beyond the football pitches. Economic analysts say that the "Red Syndrome", and the management lessons learned from Dutch national team coach Guus Hiddink, will drive the country forward long after the stadiums fall silent. (Jun 20)
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Globalized soccer gives diversity the boot
Once upon a time, different nations embraced very different styles in playing the game of soccer. But as current World Cup matches in South Korean and Japan show, diversity and even national identity are little in evidence in today's world-class soccer - with the possible exception of hairstyle preferences. Laments one Brazilian commentator, "They're all the same." (Jun 20)
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