North Korea's Negohyang Wins AFC Women's Champions League Title in South Korea

Suwon. North Korea's team, which made history by crossing the border and entering South Korea, has won the AFC Women's Champions League title.

In the final match held in Suwon, South Korea, Negohyang defeated Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 to celebrate victory by unfurling the North Korean national flag.

Under South Korea's National Security Act, unfurling the North Korean flag is generally prohibited. However, there is a provision for its use in special circumstances such as some international sports competitions.

The goal scored by captain Kim Kyong Yong just before the end of the first half became the decisive one. With this victory, the North Korean team has succeeded in winning the title in their very first participation in this competition.

After the victory, Negohyang's coach Ri Yu Il said, 'As Asia's top team moving forward on the world stage, today we are facing a historic moment, the feeling and excitement we feel at this time cannot be described in words.' He stated that since the trophy presentation ceremony has been completed, new challenges await them.

With this victory, the North Korean team has secured their place in next year's FIFA Women's Champions Cup, where champions from all six continental confederations will compete.

Due to travel restrictions between North and South Korea, no North Korean supporters were officially present at Saturday's match. However, about 1,200 members of civil society supported by the Ministry of Unification in Seoul came to the stadium to watch the final match.

During a press conference after the match, when a South Korean journalist asked a question addressing North Korea as 'Northward', both coach Ri and winning goal scorer Kim left the press conference.

Since no peace treaty was signed when the Korean War ended in 1953, the two countries are technically still at war. Although there have been attempts to improve relations in the past, relations between the two countries have significantly chilled in recent years.

North Korea has declared South Korea its 'most hostile state' and stated that it will no longer attempt unification. However, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is making efforts to improve relations.