President to hold banquet for Team Korea after return from Qatar

Social Affairs

Published: 07 Dec. 2022, 15:25 Updated: 07 Dec. 2022, 17:48

President to hold banquet for Team Korea after return from Qatar

South Korea's national football team poses for a photo before a World Cup round of 16 match with Brazil at Stadium 974 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Monday. [AP/YONHAP]

President Yoon Suk-yeol will have dinner with the Korean national football team to mark their achievements in the 2022 World Cup Thursday evening, the presidential office announced Wednesday.

The office said that Yoon invited the football team for the banquet to offer "words of encouragement."

This comes as coach Paulo Bento and the Korean national football team, including captain Son Heung-min, returned to Korea from Qatar Wednesday afternoon. They were greeted in a ceremony at Incheon International Airport upon their arrival.

The banquet will be an opportunity for the president to convey to the national team and coaches "gratitude on behalf of the Korean people for fighting without giving up against the world's top team and remember the fervor that brought the people together," said Lee Jae-myoung, deputy presidential spokesman, in a press briefing Wednesday.

"The people will never forget the December gift from Qatar," Kim Eun-hye, senior presidential secretary for press affairs, told reporters in a briefing Tuesday. "While the national team's World Cup journey ends for now, hope continues."

She said when the players, coaches and coaching staff return home, there will be "a time of encouragement," depending on Team Korea's schedule, adding that the president hopes to hold a meeting with the football team as early as Thursday lunch.

According to officials from the Korea Football Association, a luncheon meeting with Yoon initially had been discussed but was later adjusted to dinner Thursday.

The schedule was confirmed taking into consideration the conditions and schedules of the players.

Last Saturday, Yoon spoke to Korean national team head coach Paulo Bento and captain Son Heung-min on the phone after the team dramatically beat Portugal 2-1.

This marked the first time Korea reached the round of 16 in 12 years.

In a Facebook post Tuesday, Yoon showed support for Team Korea after its 4-1 loss to Brazil, the world No. 1 team, in their round of 16 match, bringing an end to Korea's World Cup journey.

"The 26 players including captain Son Heung-min, coach Bento and the other coaching staff all worked very hard," Yoon wrote, noting the athletes did their best despite their various injuries.

"Through the drama, you showed at this World Cup the hearts of all the people became one and drummed hotly," added Yoon. "Now, there is no barrier that Korean football won't be able to overcome."

He added that Koreans with "glad hearts" will dream of the next FIFA World Cup, which will be held in four years.

This marked Korea's third time reaching the knockout stage.

It reached the semifinals in the Korea-Japan World Cup 2002 and the round of 16 in 2010.

In June, Yoon awarded an order of merit to Tottenham Hotspur's forward Son in recognition of his achievements in football. Son received the Cheongnyong Medal in person from the president before a friendly match against Brazil.

Cheongnyong, or blue dragon in Korean, is the highest ranking of five medals that are awarded to individuals for their achievements in sports or their contribution to the promotion of national sports.

President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks on the phone with members of Korea's national football team from the presidential residence in central Seoul Saturday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]