In London, The Times has said that after a dramatic upset of Italy, South Korea is now the subject of fear at the World Cup tournament.

The paper said that there is near silence in North Korea while South Korea dances to the hypnotic beat of the World Cup.

Friday's edition of the British daily said there is little mention of South Korea's advance to the quarterfinals in the state-owned newspapers and on television in North Korea.

The report said coverage is restricted to nightly programs showing games on a two or three-day delay.

The paper quoted a diplomat in Pyongyang as saying that it's difficult to say who knows about the South Korean victory, but those working with the international community will know about it and the word will probably spread.