North Korean Football Team Arrives in Japan for Asian Games, Dispatching Record Delegation of Around 180

Some members of the North Korean delegation participating in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games (scheduled for September 19 – October 4) have arrived in Japan.

According to Kyodo News, the football team among the North Korean Asian Games delegation arrived at Kansai International Airport in Osaka on the 11th.

The news agency reported that the North Korean delegation stepped off the plane wearing white tops and blue trousers, with most of them wearing masks.

The women's football team is scheduled to arrive tonight.

Although the Japanese government in principle bans North Korean nationals from entering the country as part of its unilateral sanctions over nuclear and missile development, it has exceptionally permitted entry for sports exchanges.

Explaining the decision to allow entry, a Japanese government official told Jiji Press that "it is necessary to think of sanctions and opportunities to participate in competitions separately."

Previously, Choson Sinbo, the official newspaper of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), reported on the 8th that North Korea will dispatch a total of around 100 athletes across 14 events—including football, weightlifting, table tennis, and wrestling—with 2 members affiliated with Chongryon included. The report added that including support personnel such as interpreters, the entire delegation will number around 180 people.

Regarding this, Kyodo News introduced it as the largest-ever North Korean delegation visiting Japan to participate in a sporting event.

Chongryon has announced plans to extensively cheer for the North Korean delegation during this competition.

Choson Sinbo described cheering for the North Korean delegation as a "mass patriotic endeavor to demonstrate the image of Chongryon and Zainichi compatriots at home and abroad," urging the entire organization to mobilize its capabilities to welcome and support the delegation.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.