Unification Minister Jeong Dongyoung: "Hope North Korea's Naegohyang Wins AFC Women's Champions League"

As North Korea's "Naegohyang Women's Football Team" has advanced to the final of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League (AWCL), Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyoung stated on May 21, "I hope the Naegohyang team wins the championship." North Korea's Naegohyang Football Team will face Tokyo Verdy Beleza (Japan) in the final.

Jeong Dongyoung, Minister of Unification, is arriving at the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of May 21, 2026. 2026.5.21 Yonhap News Agency

Speaking to reporters on his way to work at the Seoul Government Complex that morning, Minister Jeong said, "Since they advanced to the final after defeating Suwon, I hope everyone will cheer for them and that they will win the title." Regarding Suwon FC Women, who narrowly lost in the semifinals, he added, "I supported both sides (South and North Korea) in my heart," and "I send words of encouragement."

Although Minister Jeong had initially considered attending the match in person, he refrained due to concerns about excessive political involvement in privately organized sporting events. Instead, he watched the match with senior officials at the Inter-Korean Dialogue Headquarters the previous day. He also does not plan to attend the final between Naegohyang Football Team and Tokyo Verdy Beleza scheduled for May 23. Minister Jeong said, "In a public letter from the AFC, they asked us to 'cooperate so that the match proceeds as a pure sporting event, excluding political circumstances,'" and added, "In line with the spirit of sports, I will support them in spirit only."

Meanwhile, regarding reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit North Korea as early as next week, Minister Jeong said, "Since there has not yet been an official announcement from China, I will wait and see," but added, "In the face of tectonic shifts in the Northeast Asian situation, it is time to deeply and strategically consider stability, peace, and joint prosperity on the Korean Peninsula."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.