South, North Korean youth football teams to jointly train, hold friendlies

INCHEON, July 12 (Yonhap) -- Youth football teams from South and North Korea will
train together and hold a series of friendlies in China starting this week,
organizers said Sunday.

Incheon United, a professional South Korean football team based in the western
port city of Incheon, said its under-12 boys' and girls' teams will jointly train
with North Korea's national youth team in Kunming, Yunnan Province, southwestern
China, for 19 days from Friday. Twelve friendlies are scheduled.
The city government of Incheon initiated the programs to help promote
reconciliation between the two divided Korean states and encourage North Korea to
participate in Global Fair & Festival 2009, an 80-day business fair that opens in
the city next month, the organizers said.
Air tickets, accommodation and other expenses for the 49-member North Korean team
will be covered by a South Korean government fund set up for inter-Korean
exchanges, while the South Korean team of 53 players is sponsored by Incheon
United, they said.
Last month, North Korea's national team secured a spot in next year's World Cup
finals for the first time since 1966 when it reached the quarter finals. South
Korea also won a berth to the finals.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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