South Korea will host the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. In September FIFA will be announcing the cities that will serve as venues for the sporting event. Seogwipo is vying for a spot... and the Korea Football Association toured the venue for last-minute checks ahead of next month’s FIFA Inspection Tour. Mike Balfour has more.
[slug]
Jeju World Cup Stadium, Seogwipo
Candidate to host 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup matches

A delegation from the Korea Football Association visited the Jeju World Cup Stadium in Seogwipo for last-minute inspections ahead of next month’s FIFA Inspection Tour.

In September, FIFA will announce six cities across Korea that will serve as venues for the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Following a briefing session, the KFA headed to the World Cup Stadium and examined nearby facilities.

[INTERVIEW]
Ji Yoon-mi / Media relations, Korea Football Association
We’re inspecting the World Cup Stadium, practice facilities, hotels and accommodations... to address any outstanding issues ahead of the FIFA inspection tour.
지윤미 / 대한축구협회 미디어 팀장
"9월에 있을 FIFA 실사에 앞서 제주월드컵경기장이나 훈련장,호텔 등 숙박시설을 점검하고 보완해야 할 점을 안내하기 위해 마련된 실사입니다."

The FIFA Inspection Tour is slated to begin on September 8. Delegates will inspect all nine cities including Seogwipo before selecting six to host the Under-20 World Cup.

[INTERVIEW]
Yang Seok-hu / Chairman, Jeju Football Association
We must succeed in hosting this event as it will have a great economic effect in Jeju and it will be an opportunity to let the world know about the island.
양석후 제주도축구협회 회장
" 이 대회를 유치함으로써 경제적 파급 효과 뿐만 아니라 제주를 세계에 알릴 수 있는 중요한 대회이기 때문에 꼭 제주에서 개최돼야 합니다. "

The nine candidate cities are: Seoul(서울), Daejeon(대전), Suwon(수원), Ulsan(울산), Incheon(인천), Jeonju(전주), Jeju(제주), Cheonan(천안) and Pohang(포항). All nine venues have been gearing up for next month’s FIFA Inspection Tour ever since South Korea won the bid to host the 2017 Under-20 World Cup.

[camera]
Moon Ho-seong

Seogwipo plans to highlight its previous experience in hosting the World Cup games in 2002... and its image as a safe city.

[interview]
Hyun Eul-saeng / Seogwipo mayor
We want to highlight that Seogwipo is safe and that all athletes will be able to play in a safe environment. The infrastructure here is also exceptional.
현을생 / 서귀포시장
"아무래도 제주의 특징을 살려야 하기 때문에 선수들이 안전하게
경기를 치를 수 있는 안전 문제가 최우선 과제라고 보고 있고요.
그런 면에서 인프라 등에서 다른 도시들보다 뛰어나다고 (생각합니다.)"

[reporter]
Mike Balfour

All nine candidate cities will be examined by FIFA next month as they select six venues to host the upcoming Under-20 World Cup. The final announcement will be made on September 24.

Mike Balfour KCTV