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| Yonhap News/President Lee Jae-myung SNS |
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| "confirmed to advance to the World Cup finals" National team, returning home |
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New President Lee Jae-myung delivered a message directly congratulating the Taeguk Warriors of Hong Myung-bo on their 11th consecutive World Cup trip.
South Korea's men's soccer A team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, returned home on the afternoon of the 6th through Incheon International Airport. Hong Myung-bo won 2-0 in the 9th Group B match of the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup at Basra International Stadium in Iraq, thanks to consecutive goals by Kim Jin-kyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai) and Oh Hyun-kyu (Henk), who were substituted in the second half, and confirmed his 11th consecutive World Cup qualification. He made his 11th consecutive trip to the World Cup since the 1986 Mexico Games and his 12th career trip to the World Cup, including the 1954 Swiss Games. Only six countries in the history of the World Cup have reached the finals more than 11 times: Brazil (22 consecutive times), Germany (18), Argentina (14), Italy (14), Spain (12), and South Korea (12).
On the afternoon of the 6th, President Lee sent a congratulatory and cheering message to the Korean national soccer team, which has made it to the World Cup for 11 consecutive times by fighting away from Iraq. President Lee is an owner-turned-politician who knows football. Immediately after the dissolution of Seongnam Ilhwa, a professional soccer team, he founded Seongnam FC and served as the owner of the team through active administration to communicate with supporters at a time when everyone was reluctant to establish the team. In 2016, then-Mayor Yeom Tae-young created the team's owner Suwon FC and 'flag derby', drawing attention. He is a politician who knows the value of 'communication and integration' of sports and the president who experienced the soccer field firsthand.
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| Director Hong Myung-bo who receives flower bouquets |
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President Lee gave special meaning to the Korean national soccer team by saying, `Congratulations on your advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in North Korea and the U.S. for the 11th consecutive World Cup finals has been achieved by only six countries around the world and the first in Asia.' 'I'm very proud of our national players who have been on the finals since the 1986 Mexico World Cup. You have once again preserved your pride as an Asian soccer powerhouse.' The pure passion and sweat on the ground always have the power to bring the people together. I hope that the achievements made by the national soccer team during difficult times will be a great comfort to the Korean people,' he said, emphasizing the power of integration through sports in this difficult time. 'I hope you prepare well for the rest of the 2026 World Cup without any injuries and achieve your goal,' he added. Below is the full text of President Lee Jae-myung's congratulatory message.
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| The Korean national soccer team, which has made it to the finals for 11 consecutive World Cup finals, |
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Congratulations on the Korean national soccer team's advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in North Korea and the U.S.
It is the first achievement in Asia and only six countries in the world to advance to the World Cup finals for 11 consecutive times. I am very proud of our national players who have been on the finals since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. You have once again maintained your pride as an Asian soccer powerhouse.
The pure passion and sweat on the ground always have the power to bring the people together. I hope that the achievements of the national soccer team in difficult times will be a great comfort to our people.
Now, I hope you prepare well for the rest of the year without injury for the 2026 World Cup stage and achieve your desired goal.
Once again, congratulations to the Korean national soccer team.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
