Late Leboeuf strike sees off Korea
The Koreans showed great spirit and endeavour and they looked like being rewarded with a draw, but les Bleus` resilience came to the fore again as Marseille man Leboeuf came good in the dying seconds with a fine finish.
Late goals were the hallmark of their Euro 2000 triumph, and it took a finish in the dying moments to give them victory again after the Koreans threatened an upset.
David Trezeguet put the French in front and all seemed well for the World Champions, but goals by Park Ji-Sung and Seol Ki-hyeon handed the home side a half-time advantage.
France regrouped after the break and Christophe Dugarry drew them level.
The Koreans still carried an attacking threat, only to show a lack of composure in front of goal, but France have a habit of winning tight encounters and Leboeuf proved this again with his cool strike.
The win, though, will not disguise the fact that France looked brittle at the back and it will give Roger Lemerre plenty to think about before they face Senegal in the World Cup opener.
Thierry Henry dispelled any fears over his fitness with a 45-minute performance that proved all the zip is still there.
The Arsenal flyer whizzed down the left and looked like threatening the Korean goal, but he was thwarted by a last ditch tackle.
The South Koreans proved against England that they are no back numbers and only a timely intervention from Bixente Lizarazu ended a slick attack.
Henry was full of tricks and he raced down the left before whipping in a superb cross that David Trezeguet showed remarkable agility to get to and direct a volley into the bottom corner.
Any thoughts France had of cruising through the game were dispelled when Park demonstrated great skill and finishing ability to beat Fabien Barthez.
The Korean ace collected a long-ball, beat his marker Marcel Desailly with ease before slamming a low shot past Barthez to send the home crowd wild.
Conceding would certainly be a worry for French coach Lemerre, but a bigger concern will surely be Zinedine Zidane limping out after 35 minutes.
The removal of the Real Madrid man will surely have only been a precaution, but any injury for their star player in the run up to the tournament will be a concern.
France are rarely exposed defensively but the second Korean finish highlighted an alarming aerial frailty.
Seol found a gaping hole in the centre of the French defence and headed past an exposed Barthez from five yards.
France, who had a goal chalked off for offside before Korea took the lead, were clearly stung by this and Dugarry headed home the leveller from a delicate Youri Djorkaeff free-kick.
Sylvain Wiltord came on as a substitute and he should have fired his country in front, but disappointingly scuffed his effort when set free.
Cha Do-ri possesses real pace and he outstripped the French defence on two occasions, but wasted both opportunities when faced with just Barthez to beat.
Just as it looked as if South Korea would take a deserved draw, Leboeuf popped up unmarked at the far post to volley home.
