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South Korea's unification ministry announced it will spend 300 million won (US$200,000) to support South Korean civic groups planning to cheer at an upcoming football match featuring a North Korean women's team. The funds, drawn from the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund, will cover ticket purchases, cheering supplies, and banner production for what the ministry expects to be around 2,500 supporters.

The match between Suwon FC Women and Pyongyang-based Naegohyang Women's FC is scheduled for May 20 in Suwon, about 30 kilometers south of Seoul, as part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League semifinals. It marks the first visit by a North Korean sports team to South Korea in more than seven years.

Coverage Comparison

Yonhap News Agency reported the ministry's decision on May 12, quoting an official who said the government decided to provide financial assistance through the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund Act, which has been used for previous inter-Korean supporting events such as the 2018 Unification Basketball Game and the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Detailed follow-up reports added that while cheering chants are largely left to civic groups, the government will provide guidelines on terms to avoid, reflecting North Korea's sensitivity about being referred to as "North Korea" rather than its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

On the day of the match, reports described spectators braving rain to watch the game, which they viewed as a symbol of inter-Korean relations. One report quoted a businessman who said the match could help ease tensions, while another detailed a couple who flew from Shanghai to attend.

Key Claims

  • The unification ministry will provide 300 million won (US$200,000) in government funds to support South Korean civic groups cheering at the match, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
  • The funds will cover ticket purchases, cheering supplies, and banner production, according to the same reports.
  • The ministry expects around 2,500 supporters to attend, as stated in ministry briefings.
  • The Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund Act has previously been tapped for inter-Korean supporting events, including the 2018 Unification Basketball Game and the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, a ministry official said.
  • Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said he will not attend the game in person, citing the AFC's position that the match should be a "purely international sports event" separated from political and diplomatic circumstances. He said the culture and sports minister will attend on site instead.
  • The match took place on May 20, with Naegohyang Women's FC winning, according to Yonhap. Reports also confirmed the arrival of the North Korean squad, comprising 27 players and 12 staff members, via China on May 17.

Perspectives

South Korean Unification Ministry: The ministry views the event as contributing to mutual understanding between the two Koreas. An official said, "We have received a number of requests from civic groups regarding support for the match, and the government has decided to provide financial assistance through the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund." Minister Chung Dong-young described the cheering squad as setting a "good precedent" for inter-Korean relations, noting that "we need steps to build trust again." He also stressed the ministry's role is to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Asian Football Confederation (as cited by Minister Chung): Chung cited the AFC's position that the match should be a "purely international sports event" separated from political and diplomatic circumstances, which influenced his decision not to attend in person.

Spectators and participants: Individuals at the match expressed hopes for reconciliation. Kang Kwang-duck, a businessman who traded with North Korean counterparts before relations soured, said, "Inter-Korean relations have been frozen for a long time, but if an atmosphere of reconciliation takes shape, political improvement could naturally follow." Another spectator, Kim Yong-ho, flew from Shanghai with his wife specifically to attend, underscoring the match's symbolic weight.