Seoul mayor attends Thursday morning rally at Gwanghwamun Square with Red Devils
'South Africa was the first to help us during the Korean War'
Oh exchanges jerseys with South African ambassador
![Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon watches the 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage match between South Korea and South Africa at a public viewing event at Gwanghwamun Square on Thursday, alongside Sindiswa Mququ, South Africa's ambassador to South Korea. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/25/news-p.v1.20260625.c3576fa0b81d4675952b04399d6927f2_P1.jpg)
"Are you ready to win? Dae-han-min-guk!" the crowd was asked — and the sea of red-clad supporters roared back with a resounding "Yes!"
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon arrived at Gwanghwamun Square on Thursday morning dressed in a red jersey and a Red Devils scarf. The occasion was South Korea's third and decisive group-stage match against South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — a game that would determine whether Korea advanced to the round of 32. Despite it being a weekday morning, citizens in red had begun gathering at the square early.
Oh's appearance at the public viewing event had been set in motion by comedian Park Myung-soo, who floated the idea on June 19. During his radio program, Park referenced the earlier match against Mexico and said, "If we win today, Mayor, please come out to City Hall or Gwanghwamun and cheer us on — let's all get together. We always gather for protests; show the country we can come together for something good."
Taking the stage with the Red Devils about 30 minutes before kickoff, Oh said South Africa was "a worthy and spirited rival on the pitch today, but also a country we owe deep gratitude to — they were the first to dispatch a combat air squadron to help us during the Korean War, just as is commemorated in the nearby Garden of Gratitude." He added, "We absolutely need to win today, but when South Africa plays well, I hope you'll give them generous applause and cheers too."
Oh then took the stage alongside Sindiswa Mququ, South Africa's ambassador to South Korea, and the two exchanged their respective national team jerseys.
Oh then took his place in front of the large screen at Gwanghwamun and watched the first half alongside the Red Devils. When promising Korean attacks failed to find the net, he could be seen wincing along with the crowd.
The viewing area at Gwanghwamun Square was divided into zones A through C. Organizers initially opened only those three zones, but as crowds swelled closer to kickoff, they extended the perimeter to include the adjacent road. An emcee repeatedly announced over the PA: "More people have gathered here today than ever before. The road beside the square has been closed for the duration of the match, so feel free to move from the sidewalk onto the road — but please look out for one another and stay safe."
According to Seoul Metropolitan Government data, the crowd at Gwanghwamun Square stood at about 12,000 at 9 a.m. Thursday and surpassed 20,000 by noon.
Despite Oh's rallying words, South Korea lost 1-0. Korea conceded a goal in the 63rd minute of the second half and could not equalize. The cheers fans had hoped to let loose never came — groans were all that filled the viewing area.
A man surnamed Lee, who took the day off Thursday to bring his elementary school-age son to Gwanghwamun, said he had come "to make good memories with my son at the street cheering event." He added, "The result is disappointing. Korean soccer still seems to fall short compared to Japan."
A university student surnamed Kim said she and her friends had even placed bets on the final score, expecting a Korean win. "None of us got it right," she said. "I was sure Korea would beat South Africa today and make it to the round of 32 — I'm stunned."
ikson@heraldcorp.com
