President Lee Congratulates North Korea's Naegohyang Football Club on Victory: "The Ball Is Round and We Will Meet Again"

President Lee Jaemyung congratulated North Korea's Naegohyang Women's Football Team on their victory in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League on May 23.

On this day, the President wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account, "The ball is round, and we will meet again," adding, "I will wholeheartedly support your next challenge."

On the 23rd, at Suwon Comprehensive Stadium in Jangan-gu, Suwon, the final match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League (AWCL) was held between Naegohyang Women's Football Team and Tokyo Verdy Beleza. Kim Kyung-Ah of Naegohyang, who won the championship, is joyfully holding the winner's cup with her teammates on the podium. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The President stated, "The high-level matches showcased in the Champions League have clearly demonstrated to the world the remarkable progress and capabilities of Asian women's football," and added, "I hope this tournament becomes a meaningful opportunity that goes beyond winning and losing, drives the advancement of Asian sports, and reminds us of the values of peace and harmony embodied by sports."

He also emphasized, "The fighting spirit shown by the Suwon FC Women players in the waterlogged match, held amid great public attention, will be remembered for a long time." He expressed his appreciation to the players of Tokyo Verdy Beleza and Melbourne City FC as well, saying, "You all worked hard."

In addition, he expressed his deep respect to our supporters, who illuminated the tournament with their mature cheering culture above all else.

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