The country will host the second East Asian Football Championship and Women's Cup from Sunday.

The two Koreas, China and Japan will compete for the first prize of 500,000 dollars and 300,000 dollars for the runner-up in the men's competition.

South and North Korea will play their first A-match against each other since September 2003.

On Sunday at Daejeon World Cup Stadium, South Korea faces China and North Korea plays Japan.

Defending champion South Korea will miss Europe-based players Park Ji-sung of Manchester United, Seol Ki-hyeon of Wolverhampton, Cha Du-ri of Frankfurt FC and Lee Young-pyo of PSV Eindhoven.

Instead, South Korea Coach Jo Bonfrere will test domestic league players vying for spots on the World Cup national team next year.

The women's tournament will see national squads from the same four countries.