North Korean women's soccer team arrives in South Korea for regional tournament
A North Korean women's soccer team has arrived in South Korea to compete in a regional tournament, marking the first visit by North Korean athletes in eight years. The team, Naegohyang Women's FC, will play against South Korea's Suwon FC Women in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League. While sports have previously helped ease tensions, analysts caution this event is unlikely to signal improved inter-Korean relations.
- ▪The 39-member North Korean team arrived in Incheon from China and remained silent during their arrival, while some South Koreans welcomed them.
- ▪This is the first time North Korean athletes have visited South Korea since December 2018, when they attended a table tennis event.
- ▪North Korea has been a dominant force in youth women's soccer, winning multiple FIFA Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups.
- ▪Experts believe the visit should not be seen as a political thaw, given Kim Jong Un's continued confrontational stance toward South Korea.
- ▪South Korea's government will support a 3,000-member civic cheering squad to attend the match while following AFC guidelines.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsGood Morning AmericaShopGMAInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream onNorth Korean women's soccer team arrives in South Korea for regional tournamentA North Korean women’s soccer team has arrived in South Korea to compete in a regional tournamentByHYUNG-JIN KIM Associated PressMay 17, 2026, 3:01 AM1:10Members of North Korea's soccer club Naegohyang Women's FC team arrives at Incheon International Airpot in Incheon, South Korea, Sunday, May 17, 2026.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News — International.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from ABC News — International
