About the Author
Gareth Johnson
Gareth Johnson is the CEO of Young Pioneer Tours, a travel company that specializes in tourism to countries including North Korea, Cuba and Iran.
Mention Italy to any North Korean and they will almost certainly bring up the 1966 World Cup, when the DPRK shocked “The Blue” to reach the quarterfinals.
Sadly, North Korea’s soccer teams are unlikely to replicate this success any time soon due to COVID-19 concerns. The DPRK has withdrawn from one major international competition after another, including the Summer Olympics now underway in Tokyo.