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Briefing Room

President Yoon hosts dinner for national soccer team, calls them 'world class champions'

2022.12.09

President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee on Dec. 8 hosted a banquet for the national soccer team, which advanced to the round of 16 at this year's Qatar World Cup.

 

The Office of the President in a written briefing said President Yoon and the first lady hosted a two-hour welcoming dinner for the 21-member squad, head coach Paulo Bento and assistant coaches, and the team cook and doctor at Yeongbingwan, the state guesthouse of the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae.

 

"I was deeply moved by players who fought to the end with unwavering heart," the president said in his welcoming speech. "To our people and me, you are the World Cup champions."

 

The Taegeuk Warriors on Dec. 2 took a commemorative photo holding the national flag inscribed with the term "unwavering heart" after their dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 upset over Portugal that earned a ticket to the tournament's knockout round.

 

"Soccer is the common language of people around the world as well as a song and dance," the president said. "You are more than athletes; you are missionaries of peace who provide comfort and hope to everyone facing adversity. Please have more confidence."

 

"Your youth and passion have given great comfort and hope to countries and people facing adversity inside and out and provided our people the will to overcome," he added. "As the president, I will strongly support you with better conditions so that you can confidently play with all your strength at the 2026 World Cup."

 

In his toast, President Yoon said, "To the health of Korea's World Cup team and Coach Bento."

 

Bento, who resigned as coach with the end of the tournament, said, "I would like to thank all the players, staff and the Korean people who were with us."

 

Team captain Son Heung-min told the president, "We players will never forget this moment. We would appreciate it if you could firmly support and care about us like you do now so that we can practice soccer harder to do better and make Korea shine brighter."

 

Son put the captain armband he wore during the World Cup around President Yoon's left arm.

 

The first lady said after the dinner, "Four years of sweat and hard work for one purpose have led to the precious fruit of an advance to the round of 16,"adding, "As a fan, I thank the team for repaying the people's passionate support under a sense of responsibility as our country's representative."

 

As the team's delegates, Son and midfielder Lee Kang-in gave to President Yoon and his wife the gifts of a soccer ball and uniforms signed by the players.

 

President Yoon gave Son a national team uniform with the president's signature and the inscribed message "Again Korea, we and the people congratulate you for advancing to the round of 16 in Qatar." The president also trapped the gift ball signed by all of the players with his chest.

 

Korea.net