North Korean women's football club Naegohyang FC defeated South Korean side Suwon 2-1 on Wednesday in a rare match between the divided nations, held amid political tensions. The victory secured Naegohyang a place in the final of the Asian Football Confederation Women's Champions League, where they will face Tokyo Verdy Beleza on Saturday.
Hundreds of South Korean fans, undeterred by heavy rain, cheered for the North Korean team at the Suwon Sports Complex. Some held signs welcoming the visitors, while others chanted “Naegohyang” and pounded balloon sticks. The match marked the first time North Korean athletes have competed in the South since a table tennis event in December 2018.
Naegohyang took an early aggressive approach but struggled to finish, with an offside goal disallowed in the fourth minute. Suwon responded with counterattacks, hitting the post twice in the first half. The hosts took the lead in the 49th minute through Haruhi Suzuki, but Naegohyang equalised five minutes later when Choe Kum Ok headed in from a set piece. Kim Kyong Yong scored the winner in the 67th minute, nodding home after collecting a high clearance.
North Korea is a powerhouse in women's football, holding the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup titles. The match came amid a period of strained inter-Korean relations, with North Korea focusing on its nuclear programme and rejecting diplomatic overtures from the South. The South Korean government, led by President Lee Jae Myung, has pushed for improved ties and supported civic groups organising cheering squads for both sides.
