The dawn of the 21st century was not the brightest of days for South Korea, still hampered by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, which cost thousands their jobs and bankrupted companies across the country.

But in 2002, Koreans received an unexpected boost in morale when their national soccer team beat the odds to make an improbable run to the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup hosted jointly by South Korea and Japan.

The surge of the Taegeuk Warriors on the world's biggest soccer stage brought the country to a state of euphoria and national pride that is still remembered fondly today.

“There was the sense of ‘We can do it!’ that united the whole country,” said Choe Sang-hun, a former reporter at The Korea Herald, now Seoul bureau chief for the New York Times.

“Korea Triumphs,” reads the top story for the June 19, 2002 edition of The Korea Herald, which tells how the South Korean squad bested the favored Azzurri, or Blues -- referring to the Italian team -- in an overtime thriller at Daejeon World Cup Stadium to advance to the round of eight.

• ·Hamas weapons, tactics resemble those of NK: JCS
• ·[이번 주 리뷰] 중동 전쟁 우려…국민의힘 보선 참패(9~14일)
• ·Key ruling party officials offer to resign over by
• ·이용, 지도부 때린 서병수·홍문표에 "선당후사·솔선수범 하라"
• ·Supporters of Israel hold rally in Seoul, urge Hamas to stop atrocities
• ·Foreigners turn net sellers of S. Korean stocks for 15 sessions
• ·LG Innotek wins patents for EV charging technology
• ·"당 망치는 응석받이"…안철수, 이준석 제명 서명운동 시작
• ·北, 러시아 외무장관 방북 발표…내달 18~19일 방문
• ·Seoul defense exhibition aims to boost arms exports
• ·[Obituary] Park Seo
• ·SK to hold CEO meeting in Paris
• ·Seoul shares open higher on US gains
• ·Posco Future M achieves 100% recycling of refractory waste
• ·BTS' V joined by Jimin in solo fan meeting 'Vicnic'
• ·이용, 지도부 때린 서병수·홍문표에 "선당후사·솔선수범 하라"