(World Cup) Lee touts S. Korean nat'l team for opening win at World Cup

SEOUL, June 12 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Friday praised the South Korean national team for clinching its first "precious" win against Czechia in its opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

South Korea defeated Czechia 2-1 to open their World Cup in Mexico on Thursday (local time), taking a big step toward a place in the knockout stage.

"Our football national team earned a precious victory against Czechia in their first round of the 2026 World Cup," Lee wrote on X, formerly Twitter, saying he is "proud" of the players, the coach and the coaching staff.

"Despite a tough environment, over 1,500 meters above sea level, (the team) did not lose its concentration and turned the game around, presenting great joy to the people," Lee said.

He encouraged the team to show off its prowess in the remaining games, adding the people will root for the players as supporters.

This was the fourth time that South Korea won their first match of a World Cup, following 2002, 2006 and 2010. South Korea progressed to the knockout phase in 2002 and 2010.

South Korea's next Group A match will be against Mexico, one of the tournament's three co-host countries, at 7 p.m. next Thursday at Estadio Guadalajara.

President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a joint press conference with Italian President Sergio Mattarella following their talks at the presidential palace in Rome on June 11, 2026. (Yonhap)