North Korean women footballers arrive in South Korea

A North Korean women's football team arrived in South Korea on Sunday, marking the first visit by a sports team from North Korea to its southern neighbor in eight years, to play in the Asian Champions League semi-finals.

Naegohyang Women's FC -- which means "My Hometown" in Korean -- arrived at Incheon International Airport surrounded by throngs of reporters and supporters holding welcome signs. Founded in 2012, the club won North Korea's top-flight title in the 2021-22 season and defeated Suwon 3-0 during the tournament's group stage last year.

The North Korean entourage arrived via Beijing and are expected to stay at a hotel in Suwon, south of Seoul. The North and South Korean teams would use separate dining areas and travel routes, limiting direct interaction. Interest in the match has been intense, with more than 7,000 tickets selling out within hours.