A state-run research institute said Monday that the country's construction industry will likely emerge as the biggest beneficiary of the 2002 World Cup soccer finals, which South Korea will co-host with Japan, with 2.5 trillion won worth of production expected in the industry.

The Korea Development Institute (KDI) said in a report that construction industry is likely to take up 21.8 percent of the total production increase of 11.4 trillion won ($8.8 billion) to be created by the World Cup finals.

The KDI said... the retail, wholesale, restaurant and lodging industries in the meantime are predicted to be the major recipients for new job openings created by the world's most prestigious soccer event.

The KDI estimated the four service industry sectors will witness 98,688 new job openings, or 28.2 percent, of the 350,496 jobs to be created by the World Cup.