The Naegohyang Women's Football Team, representing North Korea, arrived in South Korea on May 17, 2026, for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League (AWCL) semifinals, marking the first visit by a North Korean sports team in eight years.
The team landed at Incheon International Airport around 2:20 PM, consisting of 27 players and 12 staff members, totaling 39 individuals, according to the Ministry of Unification.
This is the first time a North Korean team has participated in a sports event in South Korea since the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour Grand Finals held in Incheon in December 2018. Additionally, it is the first visit by a North Korean women's soccer team since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, which took place 12 years ago.
The Naegohyang team is set to face Suwon FC Women at the Suwon Sports Complex on May 20.
The team departed Pyongyang on May 12 via a flight from Air Koryo, arriving in Beijing, where they trained near the North Korean embassy before flying to South Korea on a China International Airlines flight.
According to a 'Cheering Support Reference Material' released by the Ministry of Unification on May 14, over 3,000 members from around 200 civic groups, organized by the National Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, will form a joint cheering squad for the AFC AWCL.
The ministry stated, "We respect the voluntary discussions and agreements of civic groups and are facilitating orderly cheering in accordance with AFC regulations," adding that they have provided guidance on prohibited items and the ban on political and religious messages at the venue.
As a result of discussions with civic organizations, the joint cheering squad will utilize banners, cheering towels, cheering sticks, and flags from both clubs, all compliant with AFC regulations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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