777 Korea Republic fans have arrived in Paris

On Thursday 25 June, 777 Koreans will be arriving in FRANCE in a promotional event organised by COCA-COLA, Official Partner of FRANCE 98 and sponsor of the KOREA REPUBLIC team (Group E). The goal is to support the team during match no. 41, BELGIUM-KOREA REPUBLIC, and more importantly to bring good luck to the South Korean team so that they can win their first match in World Cup history. To make this a reality, a competition open to the entire local population was organised. Two million participants filled out a questionnaire from which the organisers chose 777 representatives.

Why 777? It’s a superstition. COCA-COLA decided to give away this limited number of places because, to a Korean, the number 7 is a sign of good luck. Consequently, three 7’s is a guarantee of good luck. Almost, anyway.

These 777 supporters will therefore bring with them 777 flags signed by their compatriots. The flags were collected over a period of seven days in 77 cities with the help of a travelling caravan so that everyone could participate.

More than 40,000 people saw the KOREA REPUBLIC team off on Thursday 4 June before their departure for FRANCE, and the 777 “elected” representatives were introduced to the crowd. They arrived by plane in two successive waves on 23 and 24 June in Brussels. It is not until this Thursday 25 June that the supporters will go to PARIS and the Parc des Princes. They will all go together, as superstition would have it, in order not to ruin all their efforts.

A special “training” session is scheduled for the morning of 25 June to appoint 15 “head supporters”. Their mission will be to motivate and co-ordinate their troops during the match. The 777 will join some 2,000 South Korean supporters already in FRANCE.