Chung still hopes for North Korean players in World Cup

North Korea will not hold World Cup matches in June next year but South Korea may try and recruit players for its struggling squad from the communist state.

FIFA closed the door today for good on North Korea staging games in the finals but South Korean federation president - and fast-rising FIFA vice-president - Chung Mong-Joon claims he will travel to Pyongyang early in 2002 and ask the isolationist North to send players for training with its squad under Dutch coach Guus Hiddink.

"If the North has good players I will discuss the possibility of allowing them to play for South Korea at next year's World Cup finals," Chung said.

"FIFA president Joseph Blatter will go with me to North Korea next year."

Chung offered the North one or two qualifiers after moves backed by FIFA last year but they have not taken up the offer.

Lennart Johansson, president of UEFA and head of FIFA's World Cup Organising Committee said today:

"To me it was a good idea from the beginning but I think it is too late. The last moment to enter will be the draw and the draw will be in three days but it is unlikely that it will happen."

But it is not too late for Chung to gain publicity from peace moves with the North.

His Hyundai corporation is a massive sponsor of the world governing body and Chung is set to be president one day of either Korea or FIFA.