South Korea spent 235 million won from unification fund on cheering at North Korean women's football matches in Suwon

South Korea's unification ministry spent 235 million won from the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund on support for civic groups cheering at matches featuring North Korea's Naegohyang Women's FC and on ministry preparations for the events. Of some 320 million won approved for the events, the ministry spent 235 million won, including 149 million won in direct support for the civic groups' cheering activities.

The ministry disclosed the figure in a July 20 briefing to the National Assembly and shared it with domestic media after thoroughly reviewing the spending records.

Naegohyang Women's FC, based in Pyongyang, faced Suwon FC Women in the semifinals of the AFC Women's Champions League on May 20 in Suwon, some 30 kilometers south of Seoul. The match marked the first visit by a North Korean sports team to South Korea in more than seven years. Naegohyang defeated the South Korean side 2-1.

Naegohyang went on to win the tournament, defeating Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in the May 23 final. Of 319 million won allocated, the breakdown included 25.2 million won for tickets, 59.1 million won for cheering supplies and snacks, 64.4 million won for general operation of the cheering squads, 55.9 million won for event infrastructure such as electronic bulletin boards, and 28.6 million won for security support.

The Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund Act, designed to promote exchange and cooperation between the two Koreas, has backed similar cross-border events in the past.