텅 빈 관중석...K리그 개막<br /><br />The eyes of the football world are on the Jeonju World Cup Stadium as South Korea - less than ten minutes ago - became the first country that played in the 2018 World Cup to start football following the following the coronavirus shutdown.<br />It's spiked interest in a planet starved of live sport.<br />Arirang News' Kim Sung-min is live at the opening match between Jeonbuk and Suwon at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.<br />Sung-min, it's very exciting to see the K League coming back when soccer pitches are mostly empty around the world.<br />Yes, Conn-young, very glad to say hello from here at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium tonight.<br />The 2020 K League season kicked off just a few minutes ago.<br />It's an extraordinary scene here, though,... because the stands are empty.<br />COVID-19 is now under control in South Korea, but no spectators are allowed... to make sure it stays that way.<br />Every single player and staff of all 22 teams have been tested for COVID-19 and all came out negative.<br />Before the game, the players got their temperatures checked.<br />Two players on the visiting team, Suwon, were a little warmer than normal but after a second check they got into the stadium without a problem.<br />Several other precations have been taken as well.<br />All the players' drinks have been individually labelled so they can avoid sharing them.<br />The players also have to keep their masks on except when actually playing or training.<br />Spitting on the field is also strictly forbidden.<br />I spoke with the media officer of the host team, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, about their preparations.<br />Take a listen.<br />"The COVID-19 outbreak has not completely ended yet, so there are some concerns, but I'm proud that the K League is the first in the world to start its season. This also gives me a sense of responsibility."<br />I can see that the K League has done a lot of preparation so the games can be played safely.<br />And, it's spiked interest in a planet starved of live sport. What's the atmosphere there like? Is the opening match gaining traction?<br />Absolutely, Conn-young. And I can feel that from the atmosphere.<br />Here's one of the foreign correspondents reporting on tonight's game.<br />"Having K League opened is allowing people to have a little bit of role model how it could be done in their own countries."<br />This game between Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Suwon Samsung Bluewings will be livestreamed worldwide, and 36 different countries have broadcast rights to the season, including Germany, Australia and the UK.<br />And countries are also paying attention to the quarantine measures taken by the league that made this possible.<br />The K League has shared and explained those measures with football organizations in around 40 countries.<br />Back to you Conn-young.<br />
