North Korean soccer team beats South Korean hosts in rare match between divided countries

In a rare inter-Korean soccer encounter held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, North Korea's Naegohyang Women's FC defeated South Korea's Suwon FC 2-1 in the semifinal of the Asian Football Confederation Women's Champions League in Suwon, South Korea. Hundreds of South Koreans attended the rain-soaked match, cheering the North Korean visitors despite ongoing political tensions between the two countries. The victory advances Naegohyang to a final on Saturday against Tokyo Verdy Beleza, who beat Melbourne City 3-1 in the other semifinal.