North Korean women's football team makes rare visit to South

"The visit by the club Naegohyang Women's FC is the first by athletes from the North to the South in eight years. It was approved under the inter-Korean exchange law despite the current strained ties between the two neighbors. The North Korean team received an enthusiastic welcome from South Korean activists"

"The team, which is to play in the Asian Champions League semifinals, arrived at South Korea's Incheon International Airport on a plane from China. The delegation consists of 27 players and 12 staff. All 7,087 tickets made available to the general public for Wednesday's match against South Korea's Suwon FC Women in Suwon sold out within a day."

"The winner will face either Melbourne City or Tokyo Verdy in the final in Suwon on Saturday, with the North Korean team expected to return home the following day if eliminated, though its visit is approved through the weekend. The North Korean team has approval to stay through the weekend"

"Sport as diplomacy between the two Koreas Seoul's Unification Ministry said it has earmarked 300 million won (172,000; $200,000) from an inter-Korean cooperation fund to finance a cheering squad for both sides. It has stressed that the event is a way to promote mutual understanding between the two Koreas, which have been separated since the 1950-1953 Korean War."

Naegohyang Women’s FC from North Korea arrived in South Korea on Sunday for a rare visit approved under inter-Korean exchange rules despite strained relations. The team is set to play in the Asian Champions League semifinals, arriving at Incheon International Airport from China with 27 players and 12 staff. South Korea’s public demand was high, with all 7,087 tickets for the Wednesday match against Suwon FC Women selling out within a day. The winner will face Melbourne City or Tokyo Verdy in the final in Suwon on Saturday. South Korea’s Unification Ministry earmarked 300 million won to finance a cheering squad for both sides, aiming to promote mutual understanding between the Koreas separated since the Korean War.

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