South Korea to Provide Funds for Cheering at North Korean Women's Football Match

The unification ministry said Tuesday it will provide 300 million won (US$202,000) in government funds to support South Korean civic groups planning to cheer at an upcoming match featuring a North Korean women's football team. The ministry received requests from civic groups for support and decided to provide financial assistance through the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund.

A ministry official told reporters the event contributes to mutual understanding between the two Koreas. It will mark the first visit by a North Korean sports team to South Korea in more than seven years.

The official said the decision was made the previous day.

The funds are earmarked to cover ticket purchases, cheering supplies and banner production. The ministry expects around 2,500 supporters to attend. While cheering chants are largely left to the discretion of the civic groups, the government will provide certain guidelines on terms to be avoided during the match.

The caution reflects North Korea's sensitivity over how it is referred to by the South. In line with North Korea's two-state policy, Pyongyang objects to being called "North Korea" and prefers its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund Act has been used for previous inter-Korean supporting events, including the 2018 Unification Basketball Game and the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, according to the official. The ministry also said it expects to approve entry for the 39 North Korean players and staff members within the week.

The squad is expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport on May 17. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said later in the day he was considering attending the upcoming match in person. "We are reviewing various options," Chung said when asked whether he would attend the game on site during a meeting with Rev.

Matthias Ri Long-hoon, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea. The minister described the visit by a North Korean team as meaningful in itself. He noted that private and sports exchanges have been cut off entirely since the end of 2018.

He emphasized the need to clear away distrust while acknowledging that relations between the two Koreas remain strained.