DPRK takes two wins in Korean workers soccer games

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Workers from the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) played two soccer games on Saturday at the Sangam World Cup Stadium in Seoul. Teams from the DPRK won both, according to the Korea Times.

The first game was between the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) from the ROK and the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) from the DPRK. In the second game, the ROK's Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) team played while their rival remained as the GFTUK.

Some 20,000 citizens watch the two games on Saturday. /VCG Photo

GFTUK won both games 3-0 and 2-0 respectively, while some 20,000 citizens cheered from the stands. Instead of focusing on the games, people shouted friendly phrases including “united homeland” and “we are one.” Flags with maps of the Korean Peninsula could be found everywhere around the stadium.

The two games were the first civilian exchange between the ROK and the DPRK since the leaders of the two sides met on April 27 for the Panmunjom Declaration. Last time such games happened between workers was in 2015.

The theme of the two games is a united homeland. /VCG Photo

Seoul's mayor Park Won-soon, KCTU head Kim Myeong-hwan, FKTU leader Kim Ju-young watched the games with Ju Yong Gil, the head of the GFTUK.

When the games completed, the DPRK delegation, led by Ju, departed for their country on Sunday.