The North Korean women’s football team, Naego Hanyang, has arrived in South Korea to participate in the semifinals of the AFC Women’s Champions League—a trip marking the first presence of North Korean athletes in the South in the past eight years.
The delegation, consisting of 27 players and 12 staff members, arrived in Incheon on Sunday to prepare for their match against Suwon FC, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday in the city of Suwon.
South Korea’s Ministry of Unification stated that this visit was approved under regulations regarding inter-Korean exchanges, and permission has been granted for the team to stay until the end of next week. However, if the team is eliminated, its members will return to North Korea earlier.
This trip takes place amid serious tensions between the two Koreas in recent years. North Korea has recently called South Korea its “main enemy” and once again expressed opposition to reunification.
Despite the politically tense atmosphere, the upcoming match has received widespread enthusiasm from fans, with all tickets sold out in a single day.
South Korea’s ruling party has expressed hope that the match could serve as an opportunity to reduce gaps and strengthen dialogue between the two sides.
Officials in South Korea have stated that the government’s role in the event will be limited, as the match is held within the framework of a club competition. Nonetheless, necessary support for the visiting team will be provided.
According to the regulations of the Asian Football Confederation, national anthems and political symbols, including the flag of a united Korea, will not be used in this match.
The winner of this match will face the victor of the game between Melbourne City (Australia) and Tokyo Verdy (Japan) in the final.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
