North Korean Athletes in South Korea for First Time in Nearly 8 Years; Women's Football Team to Play in AFC Champions League Semifinal
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- 📰 Published: May 17, 2026 at 19:57
- 🔍 Collected: May 17, 2026 at 20:31 (33 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 17, 2026 at 20:35 (3 min after Collected)
(CNA, Incheon, May 17, comprehensive foreign report) A North Korean professional women's football team arrived at South Korea's Incheon International Airport this afternoon. This marks the first visit by North Korean athletes to South Korea in 7 years and 5 months, since December 2018. They are here to participate in the semifinals of the AFC Women's Champions League.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the North Korean professional women's football team, named "Naegohyang," will face South Korea's Suwon FC Women on the 20th in a semifinal match for the 2025-26 season of the AFC Women's Champions League.
Agence France-Presse reported that upon the North Korean women's football team's arrival at Incheon International Airport, there were numerous media reporters and civic groups holding welcome banners.
However, they did not greet the reporters and civic groups, but quickly boarded a bus and left the airport under the escort of South Korean police.
The delegation consists of 39 people, including 27 players and 12 staff members.
Women's football is one of North Korea's strongest international sports, and its national women's team frequently participates in Asian regional competitions and even top-tier global events. (Compiler: Chen Yen-chun) 1150517
According to Yonhap News Agency, the North Korean professional women's football team, named "Naegohyang," will face South Korea's Suwon FC Women on the 20th in a semifinal match for the 2025-26 season of the AFC Women's Champions League.
Agence France-Presse reported that upon the North Korean women's football team's arrival at Incheon International Airport, there were numerous media reporters and civic groups holding welcome banners.
However, they did not greet the reporters and civic groups, but quickly boarded a bus and left the airport under the escort of South Korean police.
The delegation consists of 39 people, including 27 players and 12 staff members.
Women's football is one of North Korea's strongest international sports, and its national women's team frequently participates in Asian regional competitions and even top-tier global events. (Compiler: Chen Yen-chun) 1150517