The Korea Football Association said Tuesday the South Korean national soccer team will have its base camp set up in Saint Petersburg for its competition in next year's Russia World Cup.

Saint Petersburg in northwestern Russia is the second most populous city after Moscow.

Having been the capital of the Russian Empire, the city is rich in historical relics and continues to be a tourist destination.

A coach of the national team has inspected Saint Petersburg including three of its stadiums.

The city is found to be relatively safe and well equipped in training facilities.

Average temperatures there around the time of June next year when the World Cup is held are forecast at around a pleasurable 16 degrees Celsius.

Saint Petersburg is also located not very far from the three Russian cities where Team Korea will play its three group league matches.

An official at the Korea Football Association said that Moscow was also a candidate for the team's base camp but it was not the best fit with its traffic congestion and hotels located in the city center.