[Incheon Airport Scene] 'Dressed in navy uniforms and high heels' North Korea hometown women's football team arrives... leaves the airport in silence

*This content was translated by AI.

The North Korea hometown women's football team appeared in neat attire.

The hometown women's football team arrived at Incheon International Airport around 3 p.m. on the 17th. The delegation emerged from the arrival hall wearing clean uniforms consisting of navy jackets and white shirts, following the guidance of officials. Instead of sneakers, they wore high heels and dress shoes, presenting an impression different from typical away team training attire.

Furthermore, the hometown women's football team players and staff exited the airport in about three minutes, following their designated route without any noticeable change in expression or remarks.

This marks the first visit by a North Korean delegation to South Korea in approximately eight years since the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour Grand Finals held in Incheon in December 2018. The visit by the North Korea women's football team is the first since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, a span of 12 years, and is the first time a women's club team has visited. The hometown women's football team consists of 27 players and 12 staff members, totaling 39 people.

The atmosphere at Incheon International Airport's arrival hall was tense from the morning. Government officials, airport security personnel, and police were stationed throughout the area, with some zones under control. With approximately 100 members of the press gathering, the scene became busy even before the North Korean delegation's arrival.

A welcoming atmosphere was also detected at one corner of the airport. Some civil group officials prepared to greet the North Korean delegation by displaying placards with the message "Welcome, hometown women's football team." As the hometown women's football team appeared after the tension and welcoming mood intertwined, the atmosphere in the arrival hall instantly turned into murmurs. Along with the sound of camera shutters from the press, some civil group officials held up their placards to welcome the delegation. Some unification-related groups shouted, "Welcome, hometown women's football team."

However, the hometown women's football team did not respond and continued on their way.

Previously, the hometown women's football team arrived in Beijing, China, a transit point, on the 12th and conducted training there. The Ministry of Unification approved the hometown women's football team's visit to South Korea from the 17th to the 24th on the 14th.

Upon arriving in South Korea, the hometown women's football team immediately began preparing for the 2025-2026 AFC Women's Champions League (AWCL) semifinals. Four teams advanced to the semifinals: South Korea's Suwon FC Women, the hometown women's football team, Melbourne City (Australia), and Tokyo Verdy Beleza (Japan). The semifinals will feature a North-South Korea matchup. Suwon FC Women will face the hometown women's football team at Suwon Sports Complex on the 20th.

The hometown women's football team, which has come to South Korea, is scheduled to stay at a hotel in Suwon city. It is also reported that they will conduct training under strict security.

Suwon FC Women and the hometown women's football team previously faced each other in Myanmar last November. At that time, the hometown women's football team won 3-0.

Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, Melbourne City and Tokyo Verdy Beleza will face each other. Both semifinal matches will be single-leg ties. The final will be held at the same venue on the 23rd.

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*This content was translated by AI.