SEOUL, South Korea -- Half-Korean Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward was given a red carpet welcome Monday as he arrived in the land of his birth amid intense media attention.

	Lee Jin-man, Associated Press Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward and his Korean mother Kim Young-hee were given a hero's welcome completed with a red carpet upon their arrival at Incheon International Airport in South Korea. It is Ward's first trip to his birthplace since leaving as an infant. Click photo for larger image.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' receiver arrived at Incheon International Airport with his South Korean mother Kim Young-hee, smiling and waving to scores of journalists and fans.

Ward's arrival was covered live by the YTN news channel, which dubbed it "a hero's return" while calling the football player "the pride of the Korean people."

"It's a dream come true," Ward said at the airport. "I just want to thank the Korean community for the support for my mom and me."

"Me and my mom are going to catch up on some old traditions," he said.

Born to an African-American soldier father and Korean mother, Ward gained sudden stardom in South Korea after earning the most valuable player honors at the Super Bowl, even though American football is a mostly unknown sport here.

Ward will meet South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun during his 10-day visit -- the first since he left the country nearly 30 years ago -- and also receive honorary citizenship for the city of Seoul.

The Super Bowl star will also be meeting with children of mixed-race backgrounds. Ward's fame here has prompted introspection about the treatment of such children, who have typically faced prejudice in conservative Korean society where pure blood ties are emphasized.

Local media have intensely covered the run-up to Ward's visit and local firms' have jockeyed for the privilege to transport him, lodge him and dress him.