World Cup had historical significance, organizers say

The first-ever co-hosted World Cup has been a success by establishing positive relations between Japan and South Korea, World Cup organizers said in a joint statement Saturday.

The statement, presented by the football associations and the organizing committees for the World Cup of both South Korea and Japan, emphasized the tournament's historical significance in creating a "completely new dimension in bilateral relations" between the co-hosts.

This significance was seen in both countries' exchanges at the supporter, grassroots and civic levels, it said.

It also emphasized that the tournament was a complete success, saying the committees' "refined and smooth" management was praised by all of their "football family."

The statement said the co-hosts have fulfilled their responsibilities, with South Korea advancing to the semifinals and Japan progressing to the second round of the tournament.

The statement, however, did not mention anything about problems concerning referees and tickets, merely concluding by saying that "the tournament is drawing towards a successful conclusion."

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