THE BEAUTIFUL GAME AND THE NOT-SO BEAUTIFUL HISTORY: How the 2002 World Cup Kicked Off a New Era in Japan-South Korea Diplomacy

What happens when two historic rivals are forced to play on the same team? The 2002 FIFA World Cup, shared by South Korea and Japan, revealed the diplomatic power of sport as both nations navigated historic rivalries and forged a path toward a new era of bilateral relations. Using papers, government statements, local news outlets, and public press summits, this thesis explored if the cooperation required to host the 2002 FIFA World Cup led to lasting reconciliation between Japan and South Korea, with a focus on the bilateral effects of a co-hosted tournament on the relationship between the host countries. The results of this investigation concluded that the tournament provided limited policy infrastructure that lasted long term, but the cooperation and goodwill of the event did help launch Japan and South Korea into a period of partnership and helped forge new relationships and understandings. Historical tensions would resurface soon after, ultimately preventing lasting diplomatic benefits.