South Korea's Kim orders tighter World Cup security

South Korean President Kim Dae-jung ordered his cabinet on Monday to tighten security for next year's soccer World Cup and Asian Games following the September 11 air attacks in the United States.

South Korea is co-hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Japan -- at 10 venues in each country -- and is also staging the Asian Games in Pusan, the country's second-largest city.

The presidential Blue House said Kim had stressed to his cabinet the need for upgraded security against any attacks targeting the World Cup and Asian Games.

"We support the United States (in tackling terrorism) and we also should cooperate with the world," the Blue House quoted Kim as saying.

"If we do not, we cannot have a safe ride in aeroplanes and we cannot even hold World Cup or Asian Games in safety."

Last week, Korean World Cup organisers pledged to work closely with foreign intelligence services to try to thwart any attacks and to improve security further.

Measures already planned include no-fly zones near stadiums and stricter airport checks.

Seoul said on Monday it would provide medical teams, ships, aircraft and liaison officers and pool intelligence to help any U.S.-led retaliatory anti-terrorism force, but was not considering contributing combat troops for now.

The opening World Cup match will be on May 31 next year in Seoul -- less than 250 days away. The two-week Asian Games start in just over a year.