Wall Street Journal (June 25)
The stakes are high for the North Korean World Cup team. Their 7-0 defeat by Portugal was shown live on North Korean TV. Dear Leader could not have been pleased. During their next game against Ivory Coast, the team “may literally be playing for their lives.” If they lose, the WSJ believes the coach and players should be offered asylum so they don’t have to return to North Korea and face the awful consequences.
Tags: Asylum, FIFA, North Korea, Soccer, World Cup
The Chosun Ilbo (June 21)
Win or lose, North Korea will gain at least $10 million from FIFA for its World Cup appearance. If the North advances to the next round, the figure will rise. This money is significant to the North. $10 million is equivalent to three-months of wages for the 43,000 North Koreans who work in the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
Tags: FIFA, North Korea, Soccer, World Cup
The Economist (June 3)
For the first time in the 80-year history of the World Cup, an African nation will play host. South Africa has spent 4 years preparing, spending billions of dollars to build and upgrade stadiums, improve airports, expand roads, and complete Africa’s first high-speed train. “South Africa is rightly proud of its achievement,” but The Economist adds that after the World Cup finishes, the nation still has numerous issues to tackle, including the world’s highest unemployment rate.
Tags: High-Speed Rail, South Africa, Unemployment, World Cup
Los Angeles Times (May 30)
The World Cup may offer a chance to shame North Korea where soccer is the number one sport. For the first time in 44 years, North Korea has qualified for the World Cup. While FIFA is unlikely to bar North Korea from the games, teams and individual players could use non-compulsory equipment, such as armbands or wristbands, to protest. Non-compulsory equipment could be emblazoned with the number 46, representing the lives of the South Korean sailors killed on the Cheonan.
The World Cup may offer a chance to shame North Korea where soccer is the number one sport. For the first time in 44 years, North Korea has qualified for the World Cup. While FIFA is unlikely to bar North Korea from the games, teams and individual players could use non-compulsory equipment, such as armbands or wristbands, to protest. Non-compulsory equipment could be emblazoned with the number 46, representing the lives of the South Korean sailors killed on the Cheonan.
Tags: FIFA, North Korea, World Cup
