Against a backdrop of persistent political tensions, hundreds of South Koreans braved torrential rain on Wednesday to cheer on North Korean visitors during a rare football match between the divided nations.
Pyongyang-based Naegohyang Women’s FC defeated host Suwon 2-1, securing their place in a final on South Korean soil.
The victory propels Naegohyang into another match in South Korea, a final on Saturday against Tokyo Verdy Beleza, who overcame Melbourne City 3-1 in the other Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League semi-final.
Naegohyang goal-scorer Choi Kum Ok expressed confidence, stating: “I trusted our team’s strength. If all of us stay united firmly as one, neither the semi-finals nor the final would be a problem for us.”
While athletes from North and South Korea have historically competed on combined teams and marched together in Olympic ceremonies during periods of warmer ties, such exchanges have largely vanished in recent years. Relations between the rivals have deteriorated significantly, primarily due to North Korea’s advancing nuclear weapons programme.
Naegohyang has garnered considerable media attention since its 39 players and staff arrived in South Korea on Sunday from China.
The last instance of North Korea sending athletes to the South was in December 2018 for a table tennis event, part of a brief diplomatic engagement that included participation in that year’s Winter Olympics.
This short-lived inter-Korean detente collapsed after US-led negotiations over North Korea’s nuclear programme broke down in 2019 amid international sanctions disputes. Since then, North Korea has conducted a flurry of weapons tests, rejecting South Korean and US efforts to revive diplomacy.
Despite the rain-soaked conditions, hundreds filled the stands in raincoats, enthusiastically pounding balloon sticks and loudly chanting “Naegohyang” to drumbeats, appearing particularly supportive of the North Korean team. Some held signs proclaiming “We welcome the Naegohyang Women’s FC team”.
The liberal government of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, advocating for improved ties with North Korea, had pledged financial support for civic groups planning a 3,000-member cheering squad.
Ri Yu Il, Naegohyang’s coach, dismissed questions regarding South Korean supporters cheering for his team, stating at a Tuesday news conference that he and his players were focused “solely on tomorrow’s match and the match after that.”
North Korea is a formidable force in women’s football, being the defending Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup champions. While Ri’s team had defeated Suwon 3-0 in the group stage in November, Wednesday’s encounter proved far more competitive, forcing his team to stage a comeback.
Naegohyang began aggressively, pressing Suwon’s defence with long passes and flank runs, though they struggled to convert chances, with an offside goal disallowed early.
Suwon responded with counter-attacks, with Haruhi Suzuki hitting the post in the 21st minute, followed by Milena Barreto de Oliveira also striking the woodwork.
Suzuki eventually gave Suwon the lead in the 49th minute, chipping the ball past Naegohyang goalkeeper Pak Ju Gyong. Naegohyang equalised five minutes later through a Choe Kum Ok header from a set piece, then seized the lead in the 67th minute when Kim Kyong Yong nodded home a high-arching clearance.
Suwon had a late opportunity to level the score in the 79th minute, but Ji So-Yun’s penalty kick went wide.
Naegohyang will return to the Suwon Sports Complex on Saturday for the final, marking a significant moment for inter-Korean sporting engagement.
