North Korea’s soccer association has rejected the applications of six news organizations to cover a World Cup qualifying match in Pyongyang later this month, including NK News.

The DPRK did not specify why it denied the media requests, but one expert said it appeared to be tied to North Korea’s recent policy change to define the South as a hostile enemy state, citing reports that Pyongyang rejected outlets with American and South Korean journalists.

The Japan Football Association notified NK News of the DPR Korea Football Association’s decision on Sunday.

“We’ve just received a message from the DPRK saying