The war is over, but peace has not yet come. On that Korean Peninsula, a North Korean women's soccer team rose to the top of Asia. The British public broadcaster BBC also viewed the scene as a historical event beyond mere sport.
BBC reported on the 24th (Korea time) that North Korean club Naegohyang, which made history by crossing the border into Korea, won the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) women's champions league (AWCL) title.
Naegohyang beat Tokyo Verdy of Japan 1-0 in the 2025-2026 AWCL final held at Suwon Sports Complex on the 23rd to become the inaugural champion. The opening goal by captain Kim Kyung-yeong, scored just before the end of the first half, stood as the match-winner. Naegohyang, winning the title in its first tournament appearance, made new history for women's soccer in Asia.
With this victory, Naegohyang also secured a spot in next year's Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) women's champions cup. It is effectively a women's club world cup where continental champions face each other.
BBC also detailed the atmosphere immediately after the match. The outlet said the players waved North Korean flags during the victory ceremony and explained that under South Korea's National Security Act the use of North Korean flags is restricted but permitted in some situations such as international sports events.
BBC added that although there was no official North Korean cheering squad because of movement restrictions between the two Koreas, about 1,200 members of civic groups supported by the Ministry of Unification attended the match.
The atmosphere at the venue was more than a simple sporting event. The peninsula's tensions and political realities were reflected in the scenes outside the stadium.
Naegohyang coach Ri Yu-il said immediately after the victory, "We have reached a historic moment to go to the world stage as the best team in Asia," adding, "It is difficult to fully describe the current feelings and passion. But the awards ceremony is over, and now we must face new challenges."
BBC also introduced an incident that occurred during the press conference. The outlet reported that when a South Korean reporter referred to North Korea as "the north" and asked a question, coach Ri left the press conference without taking further questions.
BBC also highlighted the peculiarities of inter-Korean relations. The outlet said, "The two Koreas have not signed a peace treaty since the 1953 Korean War, so formally they are still technically at war," and explained, "There have been attempts to improve relations, but in recent years relations have deteriorated again."
It added that "North Korea has labeled South Korea its most hostile country and has said it will no longer pursue reunification."
North Korea's women's soccer team has shown strong competitiveness on the international stage for a long time. This time, it stamped its presence by reaching the top of Asia at the club level as well. In a Korean Peninsula where politics and ideology, tension and conflict intersect, this victory drew the attention of the world media as more than just a match result.
[OSEN]