Businesses, schools close for match with Americans

DAEGU, South Korea -- Work hours and school classes were cut Monday as South Koreans, still excited by their team's first victory in a World Cup match, cheered on the Red Devils against the United States.

President Kim Dae-jung watched on television along with millions of others freed from school or businesses for the game, which ended in a 1-1 tie.

Millions more, many wearing red T-shirts, were expected to cheer their team in street rallies in Seoul and other major cities throughout the country -- just as they did when the Koreans beat Poland 2-0 last Tuesday.

That was South Korea's first victory in 15 matches spanning six World Cups. It raised hopes the co-hosts of the first World Cup in Asia finally could reach the 16-team second round.

But the United States, also an underdog, upset Portugal 3-2 last Wednesday.

"Our cheers will be loud, but orderly," said Shin In-chul, head of "Red Devils," a nationwide support group for the South Korean team. The group's wild and enthusiastic cheers are the talk of the nation.

On its Web site (www.reddevil.or.kr) the group, which claims a membership of 150,000, said the Red Devils fans did not plan to shout anti-U.S. slogans or engage in anti-U.S. cheering during Monday's match.

"As the 12th player, the Red Devil will cheer to put power on the national team players' feet. We will not engage in cheering for any political and ideological ends," it said.

FIFA officials said President Kim decided not to attend the stadium because of concerns about possible anti-U.S. protests. The president scheduled no official functions for Monday.

Authorities deployed 4,000 unformed police in and around the 65,857-seat Daegu World Cup stadium. Security is a major concern following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

The match also comes against a backdrop of anti-U.S. sentiment among South Koreans. Many are still angry over the disqualification of local favorite Kim Dong-sung in a speedskating event at the Salt Lake City Olympics, although he crossed the line ahead of Apolo Anton Ohno. The gold medal was given to the American.

The problem was compounded by what many South Koreans perceived as Washington's pressure to force South Korea to award a multibillion-dollar jet fighter project to Boeing early this year.

Hours before the game, however, the mood at and around the stadium was festive.

Thousands of fans, including dozens of Americans, camped outside the stadium to buy the 7,000 last-minute tickets made available by organizers. They chatted, exchanging souvenirs.

The tickets were sold quickly.

"It's quite annoying," Baylor Triplett, a 25-year-old American from La Honda, Calif., complained after failing to buy a ticket. "They could have done it better. No FIFA officials are around to ask questions."

Some lucky fans were jubilant, holding tickets high.

"Oh! No, USA," Korean fans exclaimed. "Oh! Philsung (victory) Korea."