THE PRACTICE OF FIFA FOOTBALL DIPLOMACY IN CO-HOSTING OF 2002 FIFA WORLD CUP IN REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND JAPAN (1998 – 2003)

Abstract

Football is not just the usual sports, football has a lot to give peace in the world. Football is a new form of sport diplomacy is done using soft power. Before the existence of football diplomacy, Japan and Republic of Korea has been hostile for a long time. Although already doing the normalization of relations, but Republic of Korea still resent Japan because it invades their country. The relationship of Japan and Republic of Korea is a form of soft power, where it was the power to affect other countries through cultural influence, which in this case is the football. This is an important role of football in the improvement of bilateral relations of Japan and Republic of Korea. Initiated through the designation of Japan and Republic of Korea as the Co-Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2002. Football became a bridge for increased bilateral relations Japan and Republic of Korea in various sectors through a shared host 2002 World Cup as a form of diplomacy of the two countries. After being appointed to host the 2002 World Cup, along with Japan and Republic of Korea begin to work together and develop their bilateral relations. In order to improve their bilateral ties, Japan and Republic of Korea agreed to hold a National Exchange which coincided with the holding of the World Cup. An example of the results of the National Exchange program is the establishment of a working group which aims to discuss the promotion of the two countries stemming from the cultural exchange through sport that occurs in the year 2002.