Women’s World Cup: talent, toil and pleasing Kim Jong-un bring North Korea football glory
The country’s youth footballers’ two World Cups victories attributed to skill, fitness and even the political system
Talent, discipline and a desire to please leader Kim Jong-un have helped propel North Korea’s youth footballers to two Women’s World Cup crowns in a matter of weeks, experts say.
Nuclear armed but impoverished, North Korea is more often in the news for sanctions-busting ballistic missile launches.
But after winning the under-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, state media proclaimed that the country’s teenage players had “the attention of football experts, fans and spectators across the world”.
The U17 triumph came after North Korea also lifted the Women’s World Cup at under-20 level in September.
“I want to first share this joyous news with our beloved father and leader, Kim Jong-un,” under-17 goalkeeper Park Ju Gyong said. “I am so happy and overwhelmed that I can’t help but cry.”
Lee Sang-yoon, a former player for the South Korean men’s team, said North Korea’s women footballers were “very skilful and known for their stamina”.
