Unification Ministry Pledges Cooperation as North Korean Women’s Club Visits South for AFC Semifinal

The Unification Ministry said it will communicate and cooperate while respecting the framework of an international tournament as North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s Football Club plans to visit South Korea to compete in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League (AWCL).
 
A ministry official told reporters on the 4th at the Government Complex Seoul that the government will provide necessary support because a North Korean team is coming. The visit will mark the first time in eight years that North Korean athletes have come to South Korea to play.
 
The official said the event should be viewed both as an international match and a club competition, stressing that it does not appear to be something the government is directly involved in.
 
“From the government’s standpoint, it is important that this event gets off to a good start,” the official said, adding that Seoul will respect the structure so the tournament can be run through the AFC as an international competition and set a positive precedent.
 
The comments were seen as signaling that the government will keep its role limited because the tournament is organized by the AFC, an international body, rather than the result of direct exchanges between the two Koreas.

Cheong Wa Dae also said in an afternoon notice that it welcomes Naegohyang’s participation in the AWCL semifinal and that the government will work with the AFC and Suwon FC so the team can play its match smoothly.
 
The Korea Football Association said Naegohyang’s trip has been confirmed for the AWCL semifinal against Suwon FC Women.