President Lee Jae-myung, Congratulates North Korea's Homecoming Team on Victory: "We Will Meet Again... Let Us Reflect on Peace and Reconciliation"

*This content was translated by AI.

With the North Korea Homecoming Women's Football Team defeating Tokyo Verdy Beleza (Japan) to claim the Asian title, President Lee Jae-myung sent congratulatory and encouraging messages via social networking services (SNS).

On the 23rd, President Lee Jae-myung posted a congratulatory message on his personal SNS, stating, "I sincerely congratulate the players of the North Korea Homecoming Women's Football Team for winning the AFC Women's Champions League (AWCL)."

President Lee continued, "The high-level matches played in the Champions League clearly demonstrated the brilliant development and capabilities of Asian women's football to the world. I hope this tournament, beyond winning and losing, becomes a meaningful opportunity to lead the leap of Asian sports and reflect on the values of peace and reconciliation that sports embody."

He also did not forget to offer comfort to the Republic of Korea's Suwon FC Women's team, which received a disappointing result at home. President Lee said, "The fighting spirit of the Suwon FC Women's players, displayed under intense public interest, will be remembered for a long time," and added, "I also extend my gratitude to the players from Tokyo and Melbourne City FC for their hard work."

Finally, President Lee also expressed gratitude to the supporters, including the joint support group. He concluded, "Above all, I pay deep respect to our support groups who illuminated the tournament with a mature support culture. The ball is round, and we will meet again. We will enthusiastically support the players' next challenges."

Led by coach Lee Yu-il, the Homecoming team defeated Tokyo 1-0 in the 2025-2026 AFC Women's Champions League (AWCL) final held at Suwon Sports Complex at 2 p.m. on the 23rd, securing the championship trophy and a prize money of $1 million (approximately 1.52 billion won).

During the match on that day, the Homecoming team competed under the one-sided support of a large joint support group that filled the stadium stands. The joint support group sang a modified version of the Republic of Korea national football team's anthem and waved flags bearing the North Korea team's emblem, showing passionate support for the North Korea team.

In the early first half, Tokyo's offense was fierce, but the Homecoming team countered with sharp counterattacks while focusing on defense.

Amidst the tense flow, in the 44th minute of the first half, Kim Kyung-yeong, receiving a pass from Jeong Geum, faced a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper and scored the opening and decisive goal with a calm right-footed shot.

In the second half, Tokyo Verdy launched a relentless offensive barrage, but the Homecoming team's flesh-and-blood defensive wall remained unbroken, and the match ended with a 1-0 victory for the Homecoming team. Having suffered a 0-4 defeat to Tokyo Verdy in the group stage in Myanmar last November, the Homecoming team defeated Suwon FC Women's in the semi-finals and then overcame Japan's strongest team in the final, becoming Asian champions on Korean soil.

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*This content was translated by AI.