When did Japan annex Korea ?
During the 2002 FIFA World Cup , which South Korea co-hosted with Japan , and in which North Korea did not take part , the South 's team reportedly had " supporters in the North " , and North Korean newspaper " The People 's Korea " published North Korean Football Association chairman Ri Gwang Gun 's congratulations to his South Korean counterpart on the South 's " great success in the World Cup " , which he described as " a striking demonstration of the advantages and tenacity of the Korean nation to the world " .