South Korea's President Moon Jae-in suggested on Monday that countries in Northeast Asia could form a bloc - including isolated North Korea - to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, his presidential office said.
From a logistical standpoint, it would be one of the easiest ways to host a World Cup as all the infrastructrue required to run a tournament exists with South Korea, China and Japan to run a World Cup in their own right.
Moon Jae-in made the proposal during a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, Moon's office said in a statement.
The FIFA chief also offered to run the possibility by other Northeast Asian leaders, starting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he said he was scheduled to meet in two days.
South Korea warned Japan on Monday to exercise caution when making remarks about bilateral ties, including the issue of Korean "comfort women" forced to work in Japanese military brothels during World War Two.
The two nations now sit either side of the world's most heavily-fortified border since the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty - meaning that technically the two countries are still at war. During the meeting, the envoy presented President Moon with a hand-written letter by Japanese Prime Minister Abe, where he stressed the need for continued pressure and sanctions on North Korea.
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A summer of football with Kim Jong & his communist buddies...
The two teams regularly play each other in friendlies and at global competitions.
Moon said Japan should look squarely at the comfort women issue and that both countries should understand more time is needed on this issue.
Russian hooligans caused chaos at the Euro 2016 tournament in France as they fought with rival fans on multiple occasions.
Global diplomacy aside, northeast Asia is well situated for the World Cup.
The sweltering heat, tough alcohol laws and a lack of footballing history are among the major reasons why Qatar's bid to host the World Cup is mired in controversy.
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