쌍용건설

To provide the best environment for international soccer matches next year, Jeonju is putting the finishing touches on the Jeonju World Cup Stadium, which will officially open Nov. 8 after 32 months of construction and 145 billion won (U$ 121 million) in capital.

With a seating capacity of 42,477 on 627,929 square meters of land near the Jeonju Interchange in Banwol-dong, the stadium is designed to represent the cultural heritage as well as bright future of Jeonju according to a KOWOC official. The building was six aboveground stories and one underground level.

The roof of the stadium, covering 87.59 percent of the stands, takes the shape of "hapjukseon," a folding fan of local specialty, while four 68-meter-high pillars supporting the roof represent ancient totem poles that were placed at village entrances inplayer for good harvest. By modeling support cables for the steel structures after the 12 strings of the gayageum, a traditional zither, the city conveys its image as a Mecca of traditional Korean music.

Besides these trditional marvels, the soccer-only stadium features such cutting-edge facilities as a multpurpose electric board and magnificient lighting systems, intended to illustrate the vitality of Jeonju.

When the city hosts two preliminary matches on June 7 and 10, and a match among the final 16 teams on June 17, various cultural events such as musical performances and traditional games will be held in and outside of the stadium.