The Anthem
Aegukga (μ κ΅κ°)
βΆ Listen on YouTube ββUntil the East Sea's waters run dryβ¦β
'The Patriotic Song'; the melody was composed by Ahn Eak-tai in 1936.
The Legends
Names that echo
Park Ji-sung
Midfielder Β· 2000s
Three Premier League titles with Manchester United; tireless engine of the 2002 side.
Cha Bum-kun
Forward Β· 1970sβ80s
A Bundesliga great long before Korea was a football nation β 'Cha Boom'.
Son Heung-min
Forward Β· 2010sβ20s
Premier League Golden Boot winner and the face of modern Korean football.
Fun Facts
Worth knowing
- 01
In 2002 South Korea became the first β and still only β Asian nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.
- 02
The red-clad 'Red Devils' supporters' group is one of the most organized fan movements on earth, turning whole cities crimson on matchdays.
- 03
Korea has now qualified for eleven World Cups, more than any other Asian country.
At the World Cup
The story so far
Asia's most consistent World Cup nation. After decades of plucky exits, the co-hosted 2002 run to fourth place rewired the country's relationship with football forever.
The miracle run
Co-hosts Korea stunned Portugal, Italy and Spain to reach the semi-finals β scenes of red still seared into the nation's memory.
Toppling the champions
A 2-0 win over holders Germany knocked the world champions out at the group stage.
Group Stage