Two matches in the 2001 Fifa Confederations Cup allowed the stadium to show off its Teflon roof - which reflects the curves of a traditional thatched Korean house. That event also demonstrated the environmental nature of Daegu, when the local fans collected their own litter to take home after the games.
Venue: Seoul
Stadium: Sangam Mapo-Ku
Capacity: 63,930
Holders France will kick off the tournament here on 31 May. The rectangular shape of the stands reflects the shape of a traditional Korean kite and also the traditional Korean sailboats, called Hwangpo Dotbae, which can be found in the neighbouring Han River.
Venue: Busan
Stadium: Busan Asian Stadium
Capacity: 55,982
Korea's second largest metropolis uses its coastal position to attract tourists, but it is also a sporting city. After the World Cup, the 14th Asian Games will be held here. To stage these events work began on this stadium in 1991. It stands four storeys above ground.
Venue: Incheon
Stadium: Incheon World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 51,179
The second largest port in Korea, Incheon likes to describe itself as the nautical gateway to the capital Seoul, which lies 8km to the west. With a new international airport completed in 2001 and the World Cup stadium to follow, the city hopes to be put on the map by the 2002 tournament.
Venue: Suwon
Stadium: Suwon World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 44,047
Suwon's World Cup venue will include not just the main arena but an auxiliary stadium and two practice fields, as well as swimming pools, tennis courts, cinemas and concert halls. After the tournament it will be used by the Samsung Blue Wings, the local football team who won back-to-back titles in the late 1990s.
Venue: Ulsan
Stadium: Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium
Capacity: 43,550
One of the venues for the Fifa Confederations Cup, this beautiful stadium is nestled between the forests of Mount Munsu and Mount Namam. The design is meant to resemble a crane - the bird which is the symbol of Ulsan - in crouching position ready for flight.
Venue: Gwangju
Stadium: Gwangju World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 42,880
Gwangju prides itself on being a city of the arts, and the World Cup matches there will be staged alongside the fourth annual Biennale, an arts festival. The new football-only stadium built for the tournament reflects the artistic nature of the area, with distinctive oval-shaped stands.
Venue: Jeonju
Stadium: Jeonju World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 42,477
The architects of this stadium like to think it is the most beautiful of the Korean venues. Cables suspended from the roof represent the 12 strings of a Gaya Harp - a local Korean instrument. Meanwhile an existing river that has been purified winds its way around the stadium.
Venue: Seogwipo
Stadium: Jeju World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 42,256
A beautiful island with year-round temperatures, Seogwipo has created a stadium at Jeju-do to match the local landscape. The futuristic design is complemented by a water park and market place as well as plenty of restaurants.
Venue: Daejeon
Stadium: Daejeon World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 40,407
Known as Korea's Silicon Valley, Daejoen is a city of technology and administration. The stadium will feature a semi-closed roof and, after the World Cup, will be used exclusively by the Daejoen Citizen football team. But its other facilities, including a shopping mall and swimming pool, will be open to the public.
Tuesday, 27 November, 2001, 15:57 GMT
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