North Korean women footballers arrive in South Korea

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INCHEON — A North Korean women's football team arrived in South Korea on Sunday, marking the first visit by a sports team from the isolated country to its southern neighbour in eight years, to play in the Asian Champions League semi-finals.

Naegohyang Women's FC, which means "My Hometown" in Korean, arrived at South Korea's Incheon International Airport surrounded by throngs of reporters and supporters holding welcome signs, an AFP reporter saw.

A total of 39 North Korean players and staff, dressed in dark jackets and skirts, exited the airport gate and were greeted by dozens of supporters from South Korean civic groups holding welcome signs.

"We welcome you!" they said as the players walked by them along the cordoned-off route at the airport under heavy security presence.

The players swiftly boarded a bus, which departed under police escort.

North Korea's Naegohyang Women's FC players and staff arrive at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on May 17, 2026, ahead of the Women's Asian Champions League semi-final football match against South Korea's Suwon FC Women. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

Naegohyang Women's FC, based in Pyongyang, will face Suwon FC Women in the semi-finals of the Women's Asian Champions League on Wednesday.

Founded in 2012, the club won North Korea's top-flight title in the 2021-22 season and defeated Suwon 3-0 during the tournament's group stage last year.

The North Korean entourage arrived via Beijing and are expected to stay at a hotel in Suwon, south of Seoul. Local reports said the North and South Korean teams would use separate dining areas and travel routes, limiting direct interaction.

Interest in the match has been intense, with more than 7,000 tickets selling out within hours.

Seoul's unification ministry has also provided funding for civic groups planning to support both teams at the game, describing the event as an opportunity to promote "mutual understanding between the two Koreas".