From the AP, (Not me):
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)—North Korean laborers are working on football stadiums across South Africa, including the venue where their national team will play Ivory Coast in June in its first World Cup appearance since 1966.
Some 1,000 construction workers from reclusive North Korea, which maintains strict control on its citizens’ travels, have been sent to help renovate stadiums across South Africa, the Seoul-based JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported Monday, citing unidentified sources.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry confirmed that North Koreans were working in South Africa. Spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo said she had no information about how many were helping with World Cup construction.
North Korea has been exporting workers to Russia, the Middle East and Mongolia as part of efforts to earn much-needed foreign currency, she said. The impoverished nation has faced tightened international sanctions in the wake of nuclear and missile activities over the past year.
Among the World Cup venues utilizing North Korean labor are Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, site of the opening and closing ceremonies and final match, and Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, the JoongAng Ilbo reported.
North Korea takes on Ivory Coast at Mbombela Stadium on June 25, after matches against Brazil and Portugal.
North Korea has qualified for the World Cup for the first time since its surprising run to the quarterfinals in 1966.
Above is a picture taken by Sarah Schneider, a UConn junior studying abroad in Cape Town, SA. From Cape Town's famed Table Mountain, you can see the completed World Cup venue below. The bowl is noted for its beautiful location by the water's edge.
World Cup and city officials held a contest to help in naming the stadium. The result, Green Point Stadium. Brand new, the capacity is 66, 005 (my bet is the last 5 seats are for VIPs). Green Point will play host to 8 games this summer.
FYI, those games are:
Group A , June 11 - Uruguay v France
Group F, June 14 - Italy v Paraguay
Group C, June 18 - England v Algeria
Group G, June 21 - Portgual v Korea DPR
Group E, June 24 - Cameroon v Netherlands
Round of 16, June 29 - Teams TBD
Quarterfinal, July 3 - Teams TBD
Semi-final, July 6 - Teams TBD
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