S. Korea launches bid for 2018 or 2022 World Cup

SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has declared its bid to host the World Cup finals in 2018 or 2022, joining fierce international competition to stage the world's biggest football event, the country's football governing body said on Tuesday.

"South Korea has notified FIFA of its intention to host the 2018 or 2022 World
Cup finals," the Korea Football Association (KFA) said in a statement.
FIFA, the world's football governing body, has asked all aspiring bidders for the
two football tournaments to present their bid by Feb. 2.
South Korea co-hosted the World Cup in 2002 with Japan, which has already
expressed its own bid for the 2018 or 2022 tournaments.
KFA president Cho Chung-yun explained South Korea's broad strategy to win the
right to stage the World Cup during a news conference.
"I think it is natural for the KFA to bid for the World Cup, even if there is a
10 percent possibility of a success. The candidacy itself could boost the morale
of the Korean people and football fans," said Cho.
"Countries in Asia are better positioned to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
Considering the Asian quota, South Korea, Japan and Australia are likely to vie
for the 2022 event," he said, adding South Korea, as a co-host of the 2002 World
Cup, is well equipped with football infrastructure.
Besides Japan, nearly 10 countries, including the U.S., Mexico, Australia,
England, Russia, Indonesia and Qatar, have reportedly expressed interest in
hosting the World Cup finals in 2018 or 2022. Spain and the Netherlands are said
to be seeking co-hosting of the event, together with Portugal and Belgium,
respectively.
Successful candidates for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup will be simultaneously
determined at a FIFA meeting in December 2010.
The 2010 World Cup finals will be held in South Africa and Brazil is the host of
the following 2014 World Cup.