National Football Leaders of Korea and Japan Discuss Their Teams in a Shared Interview
In a historic first, the head coaches of the Korea and Japan national football teams, Hong Myung-bo and Hajime Moriyasu, met for a special joint interview at the Japan Football Association (JFA) Dream Field in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, on June 26, 2025. The occasion marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan.
Born around the same time, Hong in 1969 and Moriyasu in 1968, the two coaches share a unique connection, forged through their football careers in Japan's professional J-League. Their meeting was a symbolic representation of the evolving relationship between the two nations, marked by a blend of rivalry and cooperation.
During the interview, the coaches reminisced about the fierce Korea-Japan football matches from their playing days and acknowledged the positive impact these competitions had on the growth of football in both countries. They emphasised football's significant role as a medium for cultural and human exchanges, helping to bridge the historical and diplomatic complexities between Korea and Japan.
The coaches also discussed ongoing and future cooperation for football development, highlighting the sport's potential in strengthening bilateral ties beyond politics. The discussion concluded with both coaches expressing optimism and determination for their teams' performances at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America, wishing success and showcasing sportsmanship as a symbol of continued friendly relations between their nations.
The photo of the interview, captured by KYODO NEWS/YONHAP, serves as a testament to this unique bond between the two coaches, embodying a facet of their diplomatic ties where historical rivalry has evolved into constructive cooperation, cultural exchange, and mutual respect through sport. This event reflects a broader narrative of how sports can facilitate dialogue and friendship in the context of complex international histories.
In the interview, the coaches Hong Myung-bo and Hajime Moriyasu, born around the same time, spoke about their shared football careers in Japan's J-League and the significant role that football has played in fostering cultural and human exchanges between South Korea and Japan. They emphasized how these competitions, symbolizing rivalry and cooperation, have contributed to the evolving relationship between the two nations.
