The first North Korean sports team to visit South Korea in eight years reached the final of the Asian Women’s Champions League this Wednesday (20), with Naegohyang FC’s 2-1 victory over Suwon FC Women.
Naegohyang won comeback in a game played under torrential rain in Suwon, in which there were no major incidents.
Suwon captain Ji So-yun missed a penalty with just over ten minutes to go before the final whistle.
The North Koreans hugged each other and did not hide their emotions after the match.
“We had confidence in our team’s ability,” said Naegohyang’s Choe Kum Ok, who scored the equalizer in the second half.
“If we remain united, neither the semi-final nor the final will be a problem for us,” she added.
The North Koreans will remain in South Korea for the grand final, next Saturday, against Tokyo Verdy Beleza, at the same stadium.
Interest in the semi-final was intense and the 7,087 tickets on sale were sold out within hours.
A woman in her 70s who gave her name only by her surname Lee said before the match began that she lived nearby and had gone to the stadium “hoping to see the North Korean players up close.”
“I’m going to support both teams, although I support the team from the North a little more, as they traveled a lot to get here,” he said.
A large group of spectators from civic organizations supported by South Korea’s Ministry of Unification attended the stadium to support both teams.
“Regardless of whether the opposing team is from North Korea or any other country, we really hope to win, reach the final and show the strength of our women’s football team,” said Kweon Yun-young, a 29-year-old Suwon fan.
Naegohyang fans did not attend because North Koreans are generally not allowed to travel to South Korea as both countries have technically been at war since the 1950s.
