Border dispute quickly becomes political football

DERBY DAYS Korea Republic v Korea DPR:THIS HAS little to do with sport. Ever since the Soviet Union and the US drew a line across the centre of the peninsula after the second World War, North Korea and South Korea have been searching for ways to put one over on the other.

 

Opportunities, however, have been few and far between and, recently, they have come in the guise of soccer internationals.

Last September, the Koreas met for the third time in this World Cup qualifying campaign (they met twice in an earlier stage), and for the third time the match ended in a diplomatic draw.

There are 10 nations still involved in the Asian qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Japan and Australia look unassailable at the top of Group One. In the other group, Korea DPR lead the Korea Republic by two points, though the more southern country have a game in hand.

The top two from each group qualify automatically, so, for the first time, both Koreas may qualify for the same finals.

“It will be a good thing, for us, of the same Korean nation, to go on to the World Cup finals together,” South Korean coach Huh Jung-moo said yesterday. “It will be a great honour and a source of pride.”

North Korea’s recent “home” clashes with their neighbours have taken place in Shanghai. Before last September’s meeting, scheduled for Pyongyang, the North Korean government refused to allow the South Korean national anthem to be played or for the away side’s national flag to be displayed. Fifa eventually intervened and moved the venue to China. It simply proved impossible to separate the game from the sport of politics.

In the decades following the Korean War in the early 1950s – when the peninsula was used as a battleground by the USSR and USA – the nations have retreated from each other diplomatically, culturally and economically.

At the turn of the 21st century it appeared relations were improving. But a South-North summit in 2000 was not built upon until 18 months ago, when South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il signed a peace declaration. The 2007 accord, however, proved a false dawn.

Recent border incidents, including the shooting of a South Korean tourist by a North Korean soldier, have soured relations again, and today’s game has been overshadowed by North Korea’s recent deployment of missiles.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea say they will launch a satellite this week as part of a peaceful space programme, but South Korea, and allies the US and Japan, have said the launch is a disguised test of the North’s long-range Taepodong-2 missile.

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni may have to deal with difficult questions about Stephen Ireland and Andy Reid, but he has it easy. North Korea coach Kim Jong-hun has this week been asked for his views on everything from rockets to economic embargos.

Yesterday, he refused to say what affect today’s clash would have on the icy relationship between the Koreas.

“Our fighting spirit is high,” Kim said. “The players have the confidence they can take on any team in the group.

“The players and I are fully aware how important the three points are to get through the qualifying round. All the players are ready to play with all they have to win those three points.”

North Korea usually play their home games at the 70,000- capacity Kim Il-sung Stadium in Pyongyang, but a clash between North and South could easily have been played at the Rungrado May Day Stadium, a 150,000-seater in the city – the world’s largest sports stadium.

In 2002, the stadium was the venue for the spectacular “Arirang” gymnastic and artistic performance, with more than 100,000 participants and, unusually, foreign competitors. It was no coincidence the massive event coincided with – and so provided a distraction from – the 2002 World Cup finals, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

The event was especially timely considering South Korea’s performance at those finals, becoming the first Asian country to reach a World Cup semi-final.

Korea Republic have several house-hold international stars in their line-up – led by captain and Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung.

Almost half the squad ply their trade outside South Korea, which, of course, is not an option for North Korea players. There is an exception made for a few Zainichi Koreans (permanent ethnic Korean residents of Japan), who are permitted to play for clubs outside of North Korea.

Similarly to Ireland, the highlight of North Korea’s performances in World Cup finals is a 1-0 victory against Italy. It came at Middlesbrough during the 1966 finals, and North Korea subsequently met Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals.

After racing to a 3-0 lead, the brilliant Eusébio led an incredible comeback, scoring four goals as the European side prevailed 5-3.

Such a result is unlikely today, as the derby encounters to date have been drab, tense affairs. However, while the last three games have ended in stalemate, both sides desperately need a full complement of points today.

Politicians on both sides of the border will also be watching with interest. While politics has influenced recent clashes, today’s game may reverse that trend. The outcome on the pitch could well affect any decision concerning North Korea’s decision to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile this week.

On second thoughts, don’t bet against another drab, 0-0 draw.

Korea Republic v Korea DPR

Seoul World Cup Stadium

Today, 8pm (local time), noon (Irish)

Live on Eurosport