Football legend Cha receives German order of merit
SEOUL, Nov. 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean football legend Cha Bum-kun received the Federal Cross of Merit from the German government Friday for his contribution to the relationship between the two countries.
German Ambassador to Seoul Stephan Auer delivered the decoration from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a ceremony at the German Embassy in Seoul.
Cha played in the Bundesliga in Germany from 1978 to 1989. Scoring 98 goals in 308 matches, he was rated as one of the best Asian players in the top German league.
He also won two UEFA Cups, one each with Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen.
Cha coached South Korea at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. In 2017, he became the first football player to enter South Korea's Sports Hall of Fame.
Late former President Kim Dae-jung and late Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan also received the order of merit.

South Korean football legend Cha Bum-kun, a German Bundesliga star in the 1980s, speaks during a media conference for the German Fest at Lotte World Tower in eastern Seoul on Oct. 4, 2019. (Yonhap)
(END)
-
S. Korea to allow online permit-free entry for tourists from 22 nations to spur spending
-
Opposition leader calls on Yoon to reject imports of products from Japan's Fukushima
-
DP leader says Yoon should have stormed out of summit with Japan if Dokdo issue raised
-
One-third of senior public officials have over 2 bln won in personal wealth: data
-
Actor Yoo Ah-in appears for questioning over alleged drug use
-
S. Korea to allow online permit-free entry for tourists from 22 nations to spur spending
-
Grandson of ex-President Chun apprehended at Incheon Int'l Airport over drug use
-
One-third of senior public officials have over 2 bln won in personal wealth: data
-
Actor Yoo Ah-in appears for questioning over alleged drug use
-
Change seen among Japanese right wing favoring restoration of ties with S. Korea: envoy
-
(LEAD) Grandson of ex-President Chun apologizes to victims of 1980 democracy rising
-
Top U.S. general cancels plan to visit S. Korea due to time restraints: his office
-
(2nd LD) N. Korea plans to send weapons, munitions to Russia in exchange for food: NSC
-
Actors in Netflix series 'The Glory' dating: agencies
-
(2nd LD) S. Korea's exports down for 6th month in March on falling chip demand