South Africa 'a grateful brother' who answered Korea's call in the Korean War, Oh says

Seoul mayor attends Gwanghwamun Square street cheering event

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and South African Ambassador to Korea Sindy Mkwkukhwana cheer at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Thursday, as South Korea faces South Africa in their Group A third-round match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. [Yonhap]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon described South Africa — South Korea's opponent in their third group-stage match at the 2026 World Cup — as "a truly special and grateful country, before being a football rival," on the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

Oh made the remarks Thursday in a Facebook post, writing that "the match on June 25 (Thursday) carries a weight that goes beyond the result on the pitch."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon exchanges national team jerseys with South African Ambassador to Korea Sindy Mkwkukhwana at the Red Devils cheering zone in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, on Thursday. [Yonhap]

Oh described South Africa as "a grateful brother that, 76 years ago, when Korea's freedom hung by a thread amid the flames of the Korean War, came running as the third country after the United States and Australia the moment the UN resolution was passed." He added that "801 air force combat aviators and 34 army soldiers defended the skies, the ground, and the freedom of a distant Korean Peninsula — and amid the fierce fighting, 36 heroes never made it home."

He went on to say that "without the great sacrifice of those who gave their youth for the freedom of a land whose name and location were unfamiliar to them, neither the Korean football that the whole world cheers for today, nor the everyday peace we enjoy, would exist."

Oh said the scene of "a proud economic powerhouse and World Cup partner standing shoulder to shoulder with the descendants of those heroes and competing against them is itself proof of the great resilience Korea has preserved." He pledged to head to Gwanghwamun Square to cheer on the national team alongside citizens.

Before the match Thursday morning, Oh greeted South African Ambassador to Korea Sindy Mkwkukhwana at the street cheering stage in Gwanghwamun Square and exchanged jerseys representing the two countries' national teams.

The ambassador told the crowd of street supporters that she hoped "both teams will be able to show their best on the pitch," and wished good luck to both "Bafana Bafana" — the nickname of the South African national team — and the Taeguk Warriors.

Oh cheered from the front row alongside the ambassador before leaving about 20 minutes later for his next engagement.

jshan@heraldcorp.com