Korean churches declare war on Red Devil

April 1, 2002 Posted: 5:55 PM HKT (0955 GMT)

South Korean fans cheer their team during a friendly against Turkey last week


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SEOUL, South Korea -- Known as the `Red Devils`, they are regarded as among the most fanatical supporters in the world, following their beloved South Korean national football side wherever it goes.

South Korea traditionally play in red uniforms and thousands of their fans fill stadiums with sound and color -- draping themselves in red, cheering, waving flags and banging drums -- urging their team on.

But with the most prestigious football tournament less than two months away, the Red Devils are again provoking the ire of some Korean religious groups.

South Korea is co-hosting the World Cup finals with Japan which begin May 31, and locals will be out in force joining the more die-hard Red Devils.

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Worried that the term `Red Devils` has connotations with Satanism that would dishonor South Korea, church groups have re-launched a campaign to change the name.

Some want the Red Devils to become the Red Tigers, or something without the religious overtones.

Other groups have set up Internet petitions and public rallies while a separate group has set up its own rival cheer squad called the `White Angels`.

Such suggestions have been completely rejected by the Red Devils who say there are more focused on the upcoming World Cup to worry about changing a name.

Christians make up about 25 percent of South Korea`s population according to data from a 1999 census. Buddhists compromise 26.3 percent, while agnostics and atheists account for 46.4 percent.

And once the action begins on the pitch, local news media say that most South Koreans will be more concerned about whether their team makes it to the tournament`s second round than the name of their fans doing their best to get them there.