South Korea will host an international soccer club match tournament in July designed to promote peace and stability in the world and on the divided Korean peninsula. In a press conference in Seoul, the organizing committee unveiled a star-studded list of participants for 2005 Peace Cup Korea, a tournament that will be joined by eight clubs from four continents. Organizers said the biennial sports event is aimed at promoting world peace. The event is between July 15-24 and matches will be played at stadiums across South Korea that were used during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur is one of eight teams in the competition that also includes French champions Lyon, Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven, Real Sociedad of Spain, Boca Juniors of Argentina, South American champions Once Caldas of Colombia, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and local side Seognam Ilhwa. With South Korea largely ignored by major European clubs on tours of Asia, the Peace Cup is a rare opportunity for local and international soccer fans to visit Korea and experience the countries tradition and culture. The tournament will be held from July 15 to 24 with 13 matches for the total prize money of $2.5 million.

Organizers said the sports event in Seoul is also aimed at helping promote peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, the world's last Cold War frontier. Seoul is just about 25 miles from the heavily fortified border with North Korea and is one of the countries best excursions from Seoul. Visitors have the opportunity to visit ‘Panmunjeom’ where the armistice agreement was signed on 27th July 1953 and step onto North Korean territory making it a completely unique experience. The DMZ is a buffer area created at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War to keep opposing armies apart and avoid accidental clashes. "We are not merely enjoying football matches, but seeking for humanitarian values, transforming the passion, joy and excitement of soccer into energy for peace," a spokesperson said.

The Peace Cup Korea is organized by the Sun Moon Soccer Foundation (SMSF) and the Interreligious and International Peace Council (IIPC), both established by Rev. Sun-Myung Moon of the Unification Church, the founder of News World Communications Inc.

Korea also boasts a variety of accommodation options including staying at a Buddhist Temple or Home stays with Korean families. Both give a great insight into the culture of the country and details of this can be obtained from www.tour2korea.com & www.templestaykorea.net

For more information contact Mr R Salameh: london@mail.knto.or.kr