South Korea's World Cup footballers and coaching staff have been given a total of 4.25 billion won (US$3.5 million) in special bonuses after staging impressive performances in South Africa, the sport's governing body said Monday.
The team progressed to the World Cup's round of 16 for the first time on foreign soil before losing narrowly to Uruguay 2-1. The South Koreans
reached the semifinals at the 2002 World Cup co-hosted with Japan, but had never survived the group round in away games.
Coach Huh Jung-moo, who announced his resignation last week, was paid 300 million won, while captain Park Ji-sung of Manchester United received 170 million won, according to the Korea Football Association (KFA).
The KFA said the 23 footballers on the final roster have been divided into four groups according to their contribution, with the top-rated players, including Park, earning 170 million won.
Players in the second group were given 140 million won, while the third-rated players got 110 million won and the rest had 90 million won.
The KFA did not disclose the detailed list of the groups.