Naegohyang Women’s FC players celebrate after winning the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026 final match between Tokyo Verdy Beleza and Naegohyang Women’s FC in Suwon, South Korea, 23 May 2026. Photo by JEON HEON-KYUN / EPA
July 20 (Asia Today) — South Korea spent 235.29 million won ($158,000) from an inter-Korean cooperation fund to support joint cheering for a North Korean women’s soccer club during an Asian tournament in May, the Unification Ministry said Monday.
The government had approved 319.45 million won ($215,000) for activities supporting Naegohyang Women’s FC during the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League.
About 85 million won ($57,100) that was not used will be returned after the accounts are settled, the ministry said.
The government spent 148.74 million won ($100,000) on 5,048 match tickets, cheering supplies, snacks, an event booth and service fees for operating the supporters’ group.
An additional 84.55 million won ($56,800) was spent on event operations, while 2 million won ($1,340) was used to pay for an audit of the subsidy settlement report.
The ministry said the funding was provided under a provision of South Korea’s Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund Act that supports exchanges and cooperation contributing to mutual trust and the restoration of a national community.
Naegohyang, a North Korean women’s club based in Pyongyang, competed against Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the tournament final.
The ministry said the North Korean club’s participation was decided on short notice, making it difficult to determine in advance the number of participating civic groups and the details of the cheering events.
The government therefore provided an estimated advance payment through the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Support Association.
Any unspent funds are being returned after a review of the final expenses, the ministry said.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260720010006876
