▲ Kim Jin-pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly, encouraging Japanese lawmakers
Lawmakers from both Korea and Japan held the 12th friendly soccer tournament in Seoul on the afternoon of the 26th.
It has been 4 years since the last tournament held in Tokyo in 2018.
Since this year is the 20th anniversary of the '2002 Korea-Japan World Cup' co-hosted by the two countries, we chose the Seoul World Cup Stadium, where the opening ceremony was held at the time, as the venue.
In his congratulatory speech, National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo said, "I hope today's soccer tournament will become a sticky glue that promotes cooperation between Korea and Japan."
Jin-seok Jeong, chairman of the People's Power Emergency Response Committee, National Assembly Members' Soccer Federation, said, "At this time when the World Cup soccer fever is hot, the meaningful match between the members of both countries will be a heartwarming comfort to the people of the two countries."
In response, Seishiro Eto, president of the Japan Football Diplomacy Promotion Association, responded, "Today's tournament will help solidarity and cooperation, as well as peace and stability, between the two countries."
The 'National Assembly member Korea-Japan match', which started with Chairman Kim's poem, ended with Korea's victory, 5-3.
The best player award for both teams was won by Rep. Kang Dae-sik and Ishikawa Akimasa, respectively.
Lawmakers from both countries decided to hold the 13th friendly convention in Yokohama, Japan in March next year.
(Photo = Yonhap News)