|
|
Other News |
Chinese, Japanese, South Koreans to fly in balloons for World Cup |
|
News
|
|
|
April 27, 2000 SEOUL, APR 26 (AP) - Ten Chinese, Japanese and South Koreans will fly in balloons across the Sea of Japan next week to promote the 2002 World Cup, organizers said Wednesday.
"The goal is clear. We want to promote the 2002 World Cup," said Yang Dong-hoon, a spokesman for (Korea) Sky Sports Association.
Three balloons carrying 10 people from the three countries will take off from Seoul's Chamsil Olympic Stadium early Monday to arrive in a suburb of Tokyo after a 7 1/2-hour flight, Yang said.
The travelers will include six professional balloonists from the three countries. Also on board will be a pop singer, a world short-track speed-skating champion, a professor and a photographer from South Korea.
The Chinese balloonist, identified by organizers as Liu Xiang, volunteered to take part in the program to celebrate the first World Cup in Asia. Japan and South Korea are co-hosts.
Organizers identified two Japanese balloonists taking part in the program as Takezawa Hirosuke and Miyata Hiroki. There also will be three South Korean balloonists.
The Korea Meteorological Administration said it will keep the riders informed of weather conditions by radio during the 1100-kilometer (680-mile) trip.
The navies of the two nations will dispatch ships to prepare for an emergency.
The South Korean travelers will carry a "letter of friendship" from Seoul city mayor Ko Kun to Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara, organizers said.
Seoul and Tokyo have a sisterhood relationship. |