North-South Women's Football: Disagreement over Joint Cheering Squad Formation

Civic groups have clarified their stance on the controversy surrounding the formation of a joint cheering squad for the upcoming match between the North and South Korean women's football teams in the AFC Women's Champions League semifinals, emphasizing that it is a 'joint effort, not support for North Korea.' These groups are highlighting the significance of solidarity and harmony, in line with the spirit of inter-Korean cooperation.

Around 200 organizations, including the Council for Civilian Cooperation with North Korea (Bukminhyup), have decided to form the '2026 AFC-AWCL Women's Football Joint Cheering Squad.' They plan to cheer together for both the semifinals and the final, should either team advance. The semifinal match is scheduled to take place on the 20th at Suwon World Cup Stadium.

The joint cheering squad clarified that reports of '300 million won in support for civilian groups cheering for the North Korean football team' were misleading. They stated that the formation of the joint cheering squad was initiated by civilian organizations, not requested by the government, and was arranged through consultations with the government, with the intention of cheering for both teams, not a specific one. They also dismissed claims of 'state-controlled mobilization' as untrue.

The Ministry of Unification had announced on the 12th that it would provide a total of 300 million won from the inter-Korean Cooperation Fund to support the expenses for the civilian cheering squad, considering its contribution to promoting mutual understanding between the two Koreas. A ministry official told reporters that day, "We are supporting activities that cheer for both North and South Korean teams together to promote mutual understanding between the two Koreas." Additionally, based on information submitted by the Korea Football Association, the ministry approved the visit of 39 members of the Naegohyang Women's Football Club (27 players, 12 officials) to the South, from November 17 to 24.

The cheering methods will adhere to AFC regulations, using team and player names instead of country names, and club flags instead of national or unification flags. Slogans commonly used in inter-Korean sports exchanges, such as 'We are one' or 'National unification,' will not be used.