NKorea main focus of attention at Asian Games
INCHEON, Korea, Republic Of – The North Korean women’s football team had more reasons than usual to kick off its Asian Games campaign with a commanding win.
The participation of 150 North Korean athletes competing in 14 sports is drawing special attention in Incheon because of enduring tensions on the divided peninsula dating from the 1950-1953 Korean War that ended in a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty.
South Korea bans open displays of the North Korean flag, but has made an exception for official Asian Games venues. As at the men’s opening match a day earlier, the North Korean women were cheered on by a small but enthusiastic contingent of local supporters on Tuesday. They responded with four goals in the first half and another from the penalty spot in a 5-0 win over Vietnam.
The North Korean women won the Asian Games football gold medal in 2002 and 2006, and took silver in 2010, and are again among the favourites for the title.