Yoon Instructs "Actively Promote Hosting the 2023 Asian Cup, Abandoned by China"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol said on the 2nd regarding the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, "Actively promote (the hosting)."

President Yoon made the remark during a dinner with former national team coach Guus Hiddink, Korea Football Association Chairman Chung Mong-gyu, Gangwon FC CEO Lee Young-pyo, and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo-gyun before watching the friendly match between South Korea and Brazil in the afternoon, according to Kang In-sun, spokesperson for the presidential office.

At the dinner, when Chairman Chung and CEO Lee proposed, "Let's host the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, which China has given up," President Yoon instructed Minister Park, "Actively promote it."

In response, CEO Lee said, "Our country has not won or hosted the Asian Cup for 60 years since winning the inaugural tournament (1956) and the 2nd tournament (1960, hosted by Korea)," adding, "It would be great to host and win the tournament in our country while Son Heung-min is at the peak of his career with world-class skills."

During the subsequent match viewing, President Yoon said, "It’s been 10 years since I last watched a football game in person," and was seen on camera cheering the players with the crowd by clapping 337 times. When Hwang Ui-jo scored a goal at the 31st minute of the first half, he stood up and applauded joyfully.

Meanwhile, at around 6:52 p.m. that day, President Yoon visited Seoul World Cup Stadium and personally awarded the Sports Merit Blue Dragon Medal to Son Heung-min (30, Tottenham), the first Asian player to become the top scorer in the English Premier League (EPL).