South Korea co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Japan — the first time the tournament was held in Asia, and the product of a deeply contentious bidding process that FIFA ultimately resolved in 1996 by awarding the event to both rival applicants simultaneously. Korea's run to the semi-finals that summer, eliminating Spain and Italy along the way amid considerable refereeing controversy, made this commemorative unexpectedly resonant with the domestic market.
South Korea co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Japan — the first time the tournament was held in Asia, and the product of a deeply contentious bidding process that FIFA ultimately resolved in 1996 by awarding the event to both rival applicants simultaneously. Korea's run to the semi-finals that summer, eliminating Spain and Italy along the way amid considerable refereeing controversy, made this commemorative unexpectedly resonant with the domestic market.