Ki Sung-yong's seventh-minute free kick went over a group of players and to an unmarked Lee Jung-sooat thefarpost to tap in and convert South Korea's first chance on goal.
The 2004 European champions rarely threatened a well-organised and extremely athletic display from South Korea, who impressed with goals in either half from Lee Jung-soo and Park Ji-sung.
Ki Sung-yueng's free-kick from close to the right corner flag was inadvertently flicked on by Kostantinos Katsouranis at the near post into the path of onrushing centre-back Lee Jung-soo, who smartly adjusted his body position before volleying in from close range with goalkeeper Alexandros Tzoras nowhere in sight.