Naegohyang Makes Historic Journey to South Korea for Asian Women's Champions League

For the first time since the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, North Korean athletes have crossed the border into South Korea. Naegohyang, a women's football team from North Korea, traveled to Suwon in May 2025 to compete in the Asian Women's Champions League.

Match Details

Naegohyang defeated South Korean side Suwon 2-1 at the Suwon Sports Complex in a semi-final match held on May 20. The match drew enormous public interest, with more than 7,000 tickets selling out within hours. This victory secured Naegohyang a place in the tournament's final.

The final is scheduled for May 23 at the same stadium in Suwon, where Naegohyang will face Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza.

Team Composition

According to South Korea's Unification Ministry, which confirmed the travel plans, North Korea submitted a list of 27 players and 12 staff members for the visit.

Tournament Background

Naegohyang is participating in the Asian Women's Champions League for the first time. The team reached the semi-finals after defeating Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam 3-0 in the quarter-finals. The winner of the tournament will be decided following the final match between Naegohyang and Tokyo Verdy Beleza.

Inter-Korean Context

This visit occurred amid strained relations between North and South Korea. North Korea has referred to South Korea as a "hostile state" and stated it will no longer pursue reunification. The two countries have remained technically at war since the signing of the 1953 Korean War armistice, as no formal peace treaty was concluded.