Cheering for two Koreas: How South Koreans welcomed the North in soccer clash



Features Cheering for two Koreas: How South Koreans welcomed the North in soccer clash Historic semifinal drew thousands of spectators, rekindling engagement hopes while critics warned against politicization Joon Ha Park May 21, 2026 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A spectator at the Suwon Sports Complex waves a flag bearing the emblem of North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s Football Club during the team’s semifinal match against Suwon FC Women, the first visit by Pyongyang’s athletes to South Korea for a sporting event in nearly eight years \| Image: NK News (May 20, 2026) Choi Seon-hee sat in the pouring rain at the Suwon Sports Complex on a cold Wednesday evening, watching something that hadn’t happened in South Korea in nearly eight years: a North Korean sports team competing for a trophy on the South’s soil. “We are still one people. We are compatriots,” Choi, a woman in her 50s who travelled from Ansan city, told NK News at the stadium about 20 miles south of Seoul. “I want them to leave with that kind of warm feeling.” Choi was one of roughly 5,760 spectators who gathered at the stadium as Suwon FC Women © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

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Cheering for two Koreas: How South Koreans welcomed the North in soccer clash

Historic semifinal drew thousands of spectators, rekindling engagement hopes while critics warned against politicization

Joon Ha Park May 21, 2026

Cheering for two Koreas: How South Koreans welcomed the North in soccer clash

A spectator at the Suwon Sports Complex waves a flag bearing the emblem of North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s Football Club during the team’s semifinal match against Suwon FC Women, the first visit by Pyongyang’s athletes to South Korea for a sporting event in nearly eight years | Image: NK News (May 20, 2026)

Choi Seon-hee sat in the pouring rain at the Suwon Sports Complex on a cold Wednesday evening, watching something that hadn’t happened in South Korea in nearly eight years: a North Korean sports team competing for a trophy on the South’s soil.

“We are still one people. We are compatriots,” Choi, a woman in her 50s who travelled from Ansan city, told NK News at the stadium about 20 miles south of Seoul.

“I want them to leave with that kind of warm feeling.”

Choi was one of roughly 5,760 spectators who gathered at the stadium as Suwon FC Women

Cheering for two Koreas: How South Koreans welcomed the North in soccer clash

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