North Korean club Naegohyang Women’s FC received a hero’s welcome in Pyongyang after making history by winning the AFC Women’s Champions League, the top women’s club competition in Asia.
The team secured a 1-0 victory over Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the final held in Suwon on May 23, becoming the first North Korean club to win the continental title. Following the historic achievement, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally met the players, congratulating them on their success and praising their contribution to the country’s sporting reputation.
State media released images showing emotional scenes as players celebrated the meeting, with some appearing in tears of joy while posing for photographs with Kim. Members of the public and dozens of ruling party officials attended the reception, cheering and waving miniature national flags in celebration of the team’s achievement.
The leader also attended a friendly match between Naegohyang Women’s FC and North Korea’s Under-17 women’s national team during the event.
Naegohyang are reported to have earned US$1 million in prize money for winning the tournament. However, it remains unclear whether the club will be able to receive the funds because of United Nations sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme.
The championship campaign also marked a rare sporting exchange between the two Koreas. The tournament required Naegohyang to compete in South Korea, making it the first time North Korean footballers had travelled to the neighbouring country since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.
Despite the success, the visit was not without controversy. Head coach Ri Yu-il reportedly walked out of a post-match press conference after a reporter referred to his team as “the North side.” Meanwhile, North Korean state media omitted any reference to the matches being held in South Korea.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also extended congratulations following the final, describing the tournament as an opportunity to promote the values of peace, harmony and sporting excellence across Asia.
Founded in 2012 and backed by a consumer goods company, Naegohyang have emerged as one of the leading forces in North Korean women’s football, winning the domestic league title during the 2021-22 season.
Their emotional homecoming has sparked discussion on social media, with some users arguing that sport has provided opportunities and empowerment for young women in North Korea. Regardless of the debate, the club’s historic triumph represents a landmark moment for North Korean women’s football and secures Naegohyang’s place in Asian football history.
