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South Korea's national soccer team, the Taegeuk Warriors, is playing in the World Cup for the ninth time. There's hope for progress in their play on many fronts. Amid the summer of 2014, we should all pause to congratulate South Korea for continuing to develop a national commitment to this world sport.
I have read stories criticizing the lack of national interest in soccer and the focus on playing a game in the aftermath of the Sewol tragedy. Maybe soccer in Korea doesn't have the same national reaction as soccer in England or Spain, but it doesn't have to be that way. Don't confuse the all-consuming with importance. National passions aren't national institutions. Korean soccer has meaning and significance. Soccer contributes to Korea's advance every day.
About the Sewol tragedy, of course we must respect the dead. We must deal with the issues of responsibility for the ferry's sinking. And we must pass and enforce policies to lessen the chance of such an event recurring. Let's not obsess over the loss of life. Tragic deaths traumatize. But they shouldn't overshadow future life and living. I don't think the dead want us to stop living. Let's not mix apples and oranges here either.
In 2002, I enjoyed seeing the FIFA World Cup matches. Many Red Devils should see that era as a building block, not as the halcyon past. My favorite memory was walking on the Hanyang University campus, as the Korea-U.S. game was about to begin.
I rounded a corner and ran straight into a young student in a red shirt and with the words ''Beat USA" painted on his forehead. He looked stunned. I just smiled and kept walking. There was great passion for Korea's team, but the public gatherings and viewing sessions occurred peacefully. We should remember that at times European football matches descend into hooliganism.
I lived in Pungnap-dong then. The sound of people cheering in their apartments was like a football stadium. In Gwanghwamun and other mass gatherings, positive unity found expression. The Red Devils' red t-shirts sparked an international fad. Gus Hiddink was a national and international sensation. What pleasure and enthusiasm.
The same still occurs this year. Societal awareness has grown too. Crowds will grow again if Korea develops into a consistent competitor on the world stage. Interest will grow too. Building the Korean soccer tradition need not involve drumming up bloodlust or some crude identification of self, team and nation. Nothing succeeds like success for sports enthusiasm, but only superficially. Steady investments in players, teams and education pay greater gains long-term.
To build the sport, South Korean educators, schools, villages, towns and cities should build clubs and organized competitions. There is nothing incompatible about this sport and Korean character. Develop distinctive plays and strategies of play. Create video versions and related iPad apps. Soccer may not have the tradition of taekwondo or ssireum, but it builds strength, speed, ability, critical thinking, teamwork and so many positive results. Create women's soccer teams too.
The professional teams should sponsor junior leagues. Chaebol and other businesses should sponsor them. University teams should compete internationally. Soccer should be a sport played more between South and North Korean teams. It should be played to express brotherly peace and concord.
Oh, and building a winning international soccer tradition won't happen overnight. It wouldn't even make the top ten in national priorities, and it shouldn't. But whatever its priority, time, effort and continued attention over decades must proceed. That's not impossible. It's also not "heart-stopping" or tantalizing like a Hollywood or hallyu preview.
Hats off to Lee Keun-ho. I read that he is the lowest-paid player on the squad because he is active military. It's refreshing to see that not everyone looks at national sport as a fulcrum to fame or riches. His salute is a good image for Korea's young men and women to see devotion to team and country above self.
South Korea's soccer history can boast some good players who have made their marks on the world soccer stage. The team has won and played well in Asian and EAFF contests. There's no reason this modest record won't continue to develop and gather enthusiasm.
South Korea may not have the international won-loss record of some other world teams. The team is a rising star among Asian nations. Each competitive leap forward continues a steady path to advancement. Building a winning tradition takes time. There shouldn't be a time limit on reaching greatness in such a wide and complicated matter as building a national soccer tradition. Daehanminguk!
Bernard Rowan is assistant provost for curriculum and assessment, professor of political science and faculty athletics representative at Chicago State University, where he has served for 21 years. He can be reached at browan10@yahoo.com.
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