Korea v. Korea

On Sunday I attended the World Cup qualifying match between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). Both teams had already qualified for the next match so the outcome of the game was insignificant. What was significant was the relationship between the two countries. Being that the two countries were placed in the same qualifying group each team was to have a home match. Now, I can personally attest to the fact that South Korea's home match went off without a hitch, while the same can not be said for the scheduled match in North Korea. The North Korean government refused to raise the South Korean flag and play the South's national anthem. FIFA, which runs the World Cup and it's qualifiers, has taken a harsh stance against politics affecting the game so it was moved to Shanghai. South Korea annually sends millions of dollars in aid to the North. Without aid from South Korea and China(ask me how I feel about China) North Korea would starve(see North Korean famine).

Anyway, to move past the politics. Seoul World Cup Stadium is amazing. Home to the 2002 World Cup's opening ceremony and opening match the stadium is massive and visually inspiring.

The Stadium

The game ended in a 0-0 draw and wasn't overly exciting but it had its moments. Afterward I went to Itawon and ate the best cheeseburger to date in Korea at a neat place called Gecko's. It is THE bar for ex-pats in Korea.

A View From the Stadium