The Rise and Mystery of North Korea’s Women’s Football Team
Introduction:
The North Korean women’s football team has been a formidable force in international competitions, despite the country’s isolation and limited resources. The team’s success can be attributed to a unique combination of factors, including the country’s focus on women’s football, the support of its leaders, and the players’ strong sense of national pride. However, recent doping controversies and a four-year absence from international football have raised questions about the future of North Korea’s women’s team.
The Strength of North Korean Women’s Football:
North Korea’s women’s football team has consistently been one of the strongest in the world. In 2007, they held the fifth rank globally and had won three Asian titles in the previous decade. Their success at the youth level is even more impressive, with victories in the U20 and U17 Women’s World Cups in 2016. The team’s skill and agility on the field have made them a formidable opponent for any team.
The Mystery of North Korea’s Women’s Football:
One of the challenges faced by teams competing against North Korea is the lack of information and footage available about their playing style and tactics. Even during matches, opponents often find it difficult to predict their strategies. This mystery is a result of North Korea’s isolation and the limited access the outside world has to their football program. However, this air of uncertainty adds to the intrigue and makes facing North Korea a unique challenge.
North Korea’s Focus on Women’s Football:
The success of North Korea’s women’s team can be attributed to the country’s strong emphasis on women’s football. Filmmaker Brigitte Weich, who gained unprecedented access to the team, reveals that the late leader Kim Jong-il personally supported women’s football and saw it as an opportunity to showcase the country’s prowess on the world stage. The North Korean government has implemented a comprehensive training system for women’s football, starting from a young age and providing opportunities for talented players to train full-time.
The Material Rewards and Privileges:
Unlike in many other countries, the material rewards for North Korean football players are not financial. Instead, the lure lies in the privileges and opportunities that come with being part of the national team. Players who make it onto the team are often granted relocation to Pyongyang, where living standards and leisure opportunities are better than in other parts of the country. They receive apartments as gifts from the leader and can bring their families to live in the city. The chance to represent North Korea internationally also allows players to travel abroad, which is otherwise restricted for North Koreans.
The Impact of North Korean Players:
In North Korea, football players, especially those on the women’s team, are treated as stars. They are recognized by fans, who ask for autographs and follow their careers closely. There was even a soap opera based on the women’s team, highlighting their struggles and personal lives. The players’ high-profile status allows them to have a unique perspective on the outside world. They often compare themselves to international opponents, acknowledging the physical advantages of other teams but emphasizing their strong mental resilience and allegiance to their nation.
Challenges and Controversies:
Despite their success, North Korea’s women’s team has faced challenges and controversies. In 2011, the team was involved in a doping scandal, with five players testing positive for rare steroids. The team attributed the positive tests to a traditional medicine made from a musk deer, claiming it had been administered after lightning struck their training ground. As a result of the scandal, they were banned from the 2015 World Cup. Additionally, their absence from international competitions in recent years, due to both the doping scandal and COVID-19 restrictions, raises questions about their future performance.
The Uncertain Future:
The future of North Korea’s women’s football team remains uncertain. While they have shown promising performances at the youth level and in recent competitions, the team’s isolation from the rest of the world and the effects of the pandemic have raised concerns. The development of women’s football globally may outpace North Korea’s progress, and the country’s focus may shift to more essential needs of its people. However, the resilience and determination of North Korean players, combined with the ongoing support from their leaders, could ensure that the team remains a force to be reckoned with in the future.
Conclusion:
North Korea’s women’s football team has defied expectations and achieved remarkable success on the international stage. Despite limited resources and isolation from the rest of the world, the team’s focus, support from their leaders, and national pride have propelled them to great heights. However, challenges such as doping controversies and the impact of the pandemic have cast doubt on their future performance. Only time will tell if North Korea’s women’s team can regain their former glory and continue to be a formidable force in women’s football.