'Fist-punching Outrage': North Korea, Another Major Incident Half a Year Later... Sudden Withdrawal from U-17 Asian Cup Mystery "Completely Vanished from the Schedule"

*This content was translated by AI.

The North Korea U-17 national football team, which caused controversy last year with its 'fist-punching greeting,' has suddenly withdrawn from the Asian Cup.

Japan's 'Gekisaka' reported on the 27th that "it is highly likely that the North Korea national team has abandoned its participation in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia this May."

In fact, North Korea's traces have completely disappeared from the group stage standings and the full schedule on the official AFC website. North Korea was drawn into Group D along with Uzbekistan, Australia, and India following the draw held in February. However, only three teams—Uzbekistan, Australia, and India—are now listed in Group D on the official website. All three of North Korea's group stage matches have also vanished from the schedule.

The media pointed out that North Korea made a 'fist-punching greeting' toward Japanese players during the U-17 World Cup Round of 16 match held in Qatar last November.

During the pre-match lineup where both teams exchanged greetings, some North Korea players made gestures resembling punching Japanese players with their fists, which was fully captured on the broadcast screen.

The media reported, "The North Korea U-17 national team successfully qualified for the World Cup finals by reaching the semifinals in the previous tournament. However, on the World Cup stage itself, it received international condemnation for unsportsmanlike behavior that frowned upon."

North Korea's sudden withdrawal from participation is closely linked to the unstable political situation in the Middle East. China's 'Sina Sports' explained, "North Korea may have considered the Middle East political situation," and added, "The AFC is expected to operate Group D with only three teams without selecting an additional replacement nation."

Meanwhile, the U-17 Asian Cup will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from May 5 to 22. Originally, 16 teams were scheduled to participate, but with North Korea's withdrawal, only 15 teams will compete. The teams will be divided into four groups for the group stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the tournament. The top eight teams will secure tickets to the U-17 World Cup to be held in Qatar.

South Korea, led by coach Kim Hyun-jun, was drawn into Group C along with Yemen, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Starting with a match against the UAE on the 7th of next month, they will face Vietnam on the 11th and Yemen on the 14th.

South Korea has won the U-17 Asian Cup twice in history, in 1986 and 2002. They have also been runners-up three times, in 2008, 2014, and 2023. In the previous tournament held in Saudi Arabia in 2025, they reached the semifinals.

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*This content was translated by AI.