World Cup bonus for South Koreans

World Cup bonus for South Koreans

Zeno Park, Agence France-Presse, Seoul

South Korea's soccer heroes got a World Cup bonus on Saturday
when the government announced they would be exempt from the
obligatory 26-month military service.

The defense ministry decision came on the day after the
Koreans downed Portugal 1-0 to reach the World Cup finals' last
16 for the first time.

The win sparked wild celebrations throughout the country with
an estimated million people thronging the streets of Seoul.

"The defense ministry plans to positively consider and
actively promote ways of giving the players favors in the form of
exempting them from military duty," a ministry spokesman said in
a statement.

The decision was made in line with the public's wishes to
reward the players and also allow the team to continue practicing
without interruption, he said.

President Kim Dae-jung got in on the act bear-hugging the
team's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink and shaking hands with all of the
players.

"Today is the happiest day in the country's history," Kim told
the team at Incheon Munhak Stadium after watching the game.

"At the moment, the whole nation is rejoicing in the victory.
My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you," said Kim.

Skipper Hong Myung-bo brought up the issue of military
service, saying that it would hinder preparations for the 2006
World Cup finals in Germany.

Kim said he would tell the defense ministry to look into it.

In Korea, athletes who win any Olympic medal or a gold in the
Asian Games are eligible for exemption from military service.

The conscription age for South Korean men is 20.

Ten of the team's soccer players are expected to benefit from
the exemption. They include Park Ji-sung, Seol Ki-hyeon, Song
Chong-gug, Lee Chun-soo and Lee Young-pyo, Ahn Jung-hwan and Kim
Nam-il.

Aside from the exemption of military service, there are also
material rewards.

All the players will receive 100 million won (US$81,000) from
the Korea Football Association (KFA) as well as a car from
Hyundai Motor Co.

They would receive 200 million won should they move on to the
quarterfinals, and 300 million won if the team competes in the
semifinals and 500 million won if they win the tournament.

Hiddink will receive $150,000 dollars in cash from the KFA and
a sedan for reaching the last 16.

Hiddink would receive $200,000 should the team reach the last
eight, $250,000 if it goes through to the semifinals, $400,000
for the finals and $800,000 if his men win.