SEOUL South Korea's President Kim Dae-Jung has told World Cup organizers that security is the most important issue for the country to consider as it prepares to co-host the World Cup finals later this year.

"Security matters are the key to success of the World Cup," Kim said during courtesy call on the headquarters of the Korean Organizing Committee for the World Cup Finals (KOWOC).

"We should not be off our guard against international terror attacks and accidents," he added.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service told the president on Wednesday that it had obtained a list of 2,000 international terrorist group members and banned them from entering South Korea ahead of the finals, which take place from May 31 to June 30.

Security measures for the tournament, which South Korea is co-hosting with Japan, was boosted after the of the September 11 attacks on the United States.

South Korea is host to 37,000 American troops.