235 Million Won in Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund Spent on North Korean Soccer Team's Visit and Joint Cheering

A total of 235.29 million won from the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund was spent on event operations and joint civilian cheering during the visit of the North Korean women's soccer club, Naegohyang Women's Football Club, last May.

The Ministry of Unification reported these details to the National Assembly and released them to the media in a document titled "Settlement Results of the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund Regarding the Participation of the North Korean Delegation."

According to the ministry's settlement, 148.74 million won was spent to support the joint cheering squads organized by private groups.

The breakdown of the cheering squad support expenses includes 25.24 million won for ticket purchases (3,048 tickets for the semifinals and 2,000 for the finals), 59.10 million won for cheering supplies and snacks, and 64.40 million won for cheering operations.

The cheering operation expenses (64.40 million won) covered the operation of booths, cheering leadership, agency service fees, and value-added tax.

For "event operation expenses" to support the North Korean women's soccer team's visit, 84.55 million won was spent, including 55.91 million won for event operation support and 28.64 million won for safety management.

The details of the event operation support (55.91 million won) consisted of rental fees for electronic displays and vehicles, event supplies such as raincoats, and honorariums for committee members from private organizations.

A Ministry of Unification official explained, "In addition to indirect costs for the cheering squad support project, the event operation expenses also included costs for ensuring the stable visit of the North Korean team, such as safety management along their travel routes, which were not directly related to cheering."

Furthermore, 2 million won was spent on accounting audits for the subsidy settlement reports.

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