A North Korean women’s football team arrived in South Korea on Sunday, marking the first visit by a sports team from the isolated country to its southern neighbour in eight years, to play in the Asian Champions League semi-finals.
Naegohyang Women’s FC, which means “My Hometown” in Korean, arrived at South Korea’s Incheon International Airport surrounded by throngs of reporters and supporters holding welcome signs, an AFP reporter saw.
A total of 39 North Korean players and staff, dressed in dark jackets and skirts exited the airport gate and were greeted by dozens of supporters from South Korean civic groups holding welcome signs.
“We welcome you!” they said as the players walked by them along the cordoned-off route at the airport under heavy security presence.
The players swiftly boarded a bus, which departed under police escort.
Naegohyang Women’s FC, based in Pyongyang, will face Suwon FC Women in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asian Champions League on Wednesday.
