'Rare, meaningful': North Korean football team ventures into South

A separate law -- the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act -- also requires South Koreans to obtain prior approval from the unification minister before contacting North Koreans by any means.

A government official told AFP the North Korean players' visit had received prior approval, meaning it would not be considered illegal for South Koreans to exchange simple greetings with them.

Under Kim Jong Un "sports are viewed not simply as entertainment, but as a measure of national capability", said Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert at the South's Kyungnam University.

Pyongyang is likely "aiming to showcase what it sees as its 'overwhelming superiority' through sporting performance, using it as an opportunity to send a strong message that it is superior to its 'hostile state' rival", he told AFP.

• The club -

North Korea are traditionally strong in women's football, especially at youth level, where they have won multiple World Cups in recent years.

Naegohyang FC, based in North Korea's capital Pyongyang, are a rising force in the women's game in the country, according to South Korea's unification ministry.

Founded in 2012, the club won the North Korean top flight in the 2021-22 season after defeating powerhouses April 25 Sports Club.

Naegohyang also beat Suwon -- their opponents on Wednesday -- 3-0 in the Champions League group stage in November.

As the Champions League is a club competition, national flags and anthems will not be used during the match.

• The fans -

North Koreans are not typically allowed in South Korea so no fans will travel across the border.

The visiting team will though have plenty of support.

Seoul's unification ministry will provide 300 million won ($200,000) to support South Korean civic groups planning to cheer both teams at the match.

It will cover tickets, cheering supplies and banners, a ministry official said, adding the event could help promote "mutual understanding between the two Koreas".

About 2,500 supporters are expected at the game, according to the unification ministry.

A ministry official said civic groups would "largely be left to decide for themselves" what they chant, but the government will give guidelines given the "special nature" of the event.

"We see it as a rare and meaningful exchange between young South and North Koreans," Hong Sang-young, secretary general of the civic group Korean Sharing Movement, told AFP.

"Political slogans or messages could cause misunderstandings, so we intend to focus on football itself and on supporting young people from both Koreas sharing the same space."

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