Detail

`With one year and a half to go before the start of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan, soccer lovers around the world are already eagerly gearing up for the final matches to kick off.The world soccer governing body has announced a detailed schedule for the world`s most-watched soccer event, which will run from the opener at the World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Seoul, at 8:30 p.m. on May 31, 2002 until the championship match at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, at 8:00 p.m. June 30. The ten host cities for the World Cup finals in South Korea will showcase their own unique history and culture in their stadiums. The architecture of the Seoul World Cup Stadium embodies the beauty of a Korean traditional shield-shaped kite and sailboat. The Busan Sports Complex Main Stadium boasts a sphere-shaped motif in its exterior design. The Daegu Sports Complex Stadium is inspired by Oriental philosophy, aestherically blending its artificial lines with the natural surroundings, while featuring globallsm with the spherical shape of its exterior. The Incheon Munhak Stadium uses a sail and mast motif that captures the essence of Incheon as the maritime gateway of the West Coast. The Gwangju World Cup Stadium features a gengle curved architecture inspired by the Korean traditional folk game known as Kossaum Nori and the nearby Mt. Mudeung, while the entire venue is suffused with a shining-light image befitting the city`s name `City of Light`. The Deajeon World Cup Stadium employs the motifs of Korea`s traditional thatched-roof farmhouse and the traditional lattice patterns on the windows and doors. The Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium adds a green image to the country`s mechanical-industrial capital with its innovative environment-friendly design. The Suwon World Cup Stadium harmonizes the illustrious history of the ancient city with high-tech architecture and a unique structure with its roof in the shape of extended wings symbolizing a future-oriented vision. The Jeonju World Cup Stadium unifies images of wings in flight to the world and the twelve strings of the kayageum (traditional musical instrument), The Jeju World Cup Stadium evokes a distinctive Jeju image by integrating the image of a volcanic crater perched on top of a mountain to its exterior design and by designing its access roads in the tradition of ``Ole``, a village alleyway lined with basalt stone walls. This commemorative stamp collection depicts the ten World Cup stadiums and the three 2002 FIFA World Cup mascots. `