Japan hails S.Korea's choice of World Cup cities

TOKYO, Dec 29 (AFP) -The head of the Football Association of Japan hailed South Korea's selection on Monday of 10 cities to host the 2002 World Cup finals.

"The organising committee (for the World Cup), the Football Association of South Korea and other parties concerned made the decision after full consideration, and I am sure it was the best one," said association president Ken Nagamura.

"We hope for the success of the first co-hosting under close contact with local host governments in Japan," he said in a statement.

South Korea said Monday it had picked 10 cities to host the 2002 World Cup finals which it will share with Japan, but that the door remained open for North Korea to hold some matches.

The 2002 World Cup Committee of South Korea said it had chosen Seoul, Pusan, Taegu, Kwangju, Ulsan, Taejon, Inchon, Suwon, Chonju and Sogwipo in Cheju Island.

However, the committee said it had yet to make a final decision on Seoul, which has yet to submit its stadium construction plans.

Japan will host half of the 64 matches. It has already picked 10 cities, which do not include the capital of Tokyo.