North Korean Women’s Club Wins AFC Title in Seoul
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- Naegohyang FC traveled to South Korea for the AFC women’s club championship, marking the first inter‑Korean sporting visit since 2018.
- Naegohyang FC defeated Suwon FC on May 20 in Suwon, advancing to the final.
- Naegohyang FC won the championship on May 23, beating Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1‑0 and receiving a $1 million prize.
- Ministry of Unification granted extraordinary administrative approval for the North Korean team’s entry, bypassing standard visa procedures.
- Observers noted the tournament exposed Seoul’s slow adaptation of legal and political frameworks to North Korea’s new two‑state stance.
Why it matters: South Korea’s sports federation gains prestige and a $1 million prize, while the government must adjust inter‑Korean travel rules, exposing a legal gap that now requires policy revision.
