North Korea Crowned Champions In South Korea? Women's Club Seals Historic AFC Title

Last Updated:May 23, 2026, 14:22 IST

North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s FC capped a historic South Korea visit by beating Tokyo Verdy 1-0 to win the Asian Women’s Champions League in Suwon.

North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s FC capped a rare and emotional visit to South Korea by winning the Asian Women’s Champions League title on Saturday, defeating Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in the final at Suwon.

The victory marked the first time in eight years that a North Korean sports team had travelled to the South, adding political and emotional weight to an already historic tournament run.

Captain Kim Kyong Yong proved to be the difference-maker, scoring just before half-time to hand Naegohyang the biggest title in the club’s history.

The team, founded in 2012 and whose name translates to “My Hometown," will now qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s Champions Cup featuring clubs from across the globe.

Women’s football has long been one of North Korea’s strongest sporting disciplines, with their national teams regularly competing among Asia’s elite. Their club side once again showcased that pedigree in Suwon.

A Rare North-South Sporting Moment

Naegohyang had already grabbed headlines earlier in the week after defeating Suwon FC Women 2-1 in the semi-finals in a rare football meeting between North and South Korean sides.

Interest surrounding their visit was intense. More than 7,000 tickets for the semi-final sold out within hours as South Korean fans flocked to witness the historic occasion.

Saturday’s final saw a smaller crowd, but the atmosphere remained emotional. With North Korean citizens generally barred from entering South Korea and the two nations technically still at war since 1950, there were no official travelling supporters for Naegohyang.

Instead, South Korean fans stepped in with drums and chants, while civic groups backed by Seoul’s unification ministry brought around 3,000 spectators to the stadium.

Peace Network director Cheong Wook-sik summed up the mood before kick-off.

“We have long been the closest neighbours, yet also the most hostile towards each other," he told AFP. “I hope these football events can help change that, even if it may sound too idealistic."

(with AFP inputs)

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