Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFlo CliffordMonday 04 May 2026 10:06 BSTThe North Korean women's football side is ranked among the strongest in the AFC (Getty)A North Korean football club, Naegohyang Women’s FC, is scheduled to visit South Korea next month, marking the first time athletes from the North have crossed the border since 2018.The team from Pyongyang will compete against South Korean side Suwon FC Women in the Asian Women’s Champions League semi-final on 20 May in Suwon.A delegation comprising 27 players and 12 staff from North Korea is expected to arrive in South Korea on 17 May.This rare sporting exchange takes place amidst strained relations, with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung seeking to improve ties with North Korea.The last time North Korean athletes visited the South was for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, a period of warmer relations, contrasting with Pyongyang's recent declaration of South Korea as its “most hostile state”.Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in