North Korean state media reported that the 'My Hometown Women's Football Team' has advanced to the finals after a match held in South Korea.
The Korean Central News Agency announced on May 21 that the team won 2-1 against Suwon FC Women in the semifinals of the 2025-26 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League (AWCL) held the previous day.
This marks the first time in nearly eight years that North Korean athletes have participated in a sports event in South Korea, with the last instance being in December 2018 during the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour Grand Finals in Incheon.
In football, it is the first visit by North Korean players to South Korea since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. This is also the first time a North Korean women's football club has traveled to the South.
The Central News Agency noted, "The semifinal match between our My Hometown team and the South Korean Suwon team took place on May 20 in South Korea. Despite conceding a goal in the second half, our players intensified their cooperation and launched a strong offensive."
The report mentioned that players Choi Geum-ok and Kim Kyung-young scored goals, and the finals are scheduled for May 23.
However, the Central News Agency did not provide details about the atmosphere at the match, including the support from a joint cheering squad organized by civilian groups from both Koreas. The name 'Suwon FC Women' was abbreviated to 'Suwon team,' and the venue was referred to simply as 'South Korea.'
The Rodong Sinmun, which is read by North Korean citizens, also published the Central News Agency's article on its third page, featuring photos of My Hometown players celebrating in the rain and competing in the wet conditions.
The Korean Central News Agency announced on May 21 that the team won 2-1 against Suwon FC Women in the semifinals of the 2025-26 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League (AWCL) held the previous day.
This marks the first time in nearly eight years that North Korean athletes have participated in a sports event in South Korea, with the last instance being in December 2018 during the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour Grand Finals in Incheon.
In football, it is the first visit by North Korean players to South Korea since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. This is also the first time a North Korean women's football club has traveled to the South.
The Central News Agency noted, "The semifinal match between our My Hometown team and the South Korean Suwon team took place on May 20 in South Korea. Despite conceding a goal in the second half, our players intensified their cooperation and launched a strong offensive."
The report mentioned that players Choi Geum-ok and Kim Kyung-young scored goals, and the finals are scheduled for May 23.
However, the Central News Agency did not provide details about the atmosphere at the match, including the support from a joint cheering squad organized by civilian groups from both Koreas. The name 'Suwon FC Women' was abbreviated to 'Suwon team,' and the venue was referred to simply as 'South Korea.'
The Rodong Sinmun, which is read by North Korean citizens, also published the Central News Agency's article on its third page, featuring photos of My Hometown players celebrating in the rain and competing in the wet conditions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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