sports

N Korean national soccer teams in Japan for tournament

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The players are smiling from ear to ear. Welcome to the real world. I hope some would come to their senses.

So you actually believe that they are smiling because they are happy to be North Korean? Not under threat to make sure they give a positive image to the outside world? Or maybe they are happy to finally be out of North Korea, even for a few days. But I can pretty much guarantee they aren't just happy little North Koreans.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

At least while the North Korean teams are here, we don't have to worry about NK bombing us. I'm pretty sure.

Wouldn't hold that much of assurance for Kim

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I would like to see there faces when they are given a computer that is linked to the uncensored internet, introduce them to youtube, and let them look at the top 10 thinks you didn't know all about KJU!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Give them all pre-paid smartphones and free wireless internet access, then let them tell their friends and familiesa when they return to NK

South Korean DVDs circulate in the North so most are likely to have a reasonably good idea if what the rest of the world looks like.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/world/media-smuggling-north-korea

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"The Korean residents cheered and waved Korean flags. About half an hour later, the men's team appeared in front of them, smiling and waving at the cheering crowd."

Prove they are Korean residents. I know there are a LOT of Japanese men who fall in love with the "Mysterious" NK cheerleaders and women's team. Some could be those people.

Dan Lewis: "Keep them in japan and trade with Japanese nationals abducted to NK."

So, what NK did is perfectly okay in your mind, then? Because no one who thinks it was wrong would suggest a schoolyard "even Stephen" approach that would more than guarantee the first nukes hit Japan.

And guys, come one... really. These ladies and men aren't suddenly going to get a pre-paid cell or what have you and realise what they're missing and defect, or foment rebellion when they get back home -- they were chosen knowing full-well they are nationalists and/or their families back home are done if they try anything of the sort. They're here for sport, and this proves that sports are greater than politics when it comes to grass roots exchange and relations. If only politicians and people playing politics would stop being such children and follow suit.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

They should not be allowed in. Same as Russian team for doping scandal. Let NKoreans understand that everyone will pay their price for their FatMan stupidity.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

For people complaining about the people waiving the NK flags, their families came from the north part of Korea, but "North Korea" did not exist when their ancestors were brought over here as slave labor during the war. "North Korea" was created by the US and Russia AFTER the war, so each would have its sphere of influence. The NK people here have nothing to do with the communist Kim regime in "North Korea".

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Why do they live in Japan if they are patriotic towards and support a country that is openly hostile towards Japan?

Hard currency to No. Korea?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I wonder how many have hepatitis B and intestinal parasites.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The players are smiling from ear to ear. Welcome to the real world. I hope some would come to their senses.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

NK supporters in Japan. Maybe they should be sent back. Let' see if they really want to support the regime after a tour over there.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Maybe a few will defect.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Matt HartwellToday  09:27 am JST

Japan should put on a buffet for them. I'm sure they would appreciate a decent meal. Its a sign of care and goodwill and a nice little propaganda opportunity ;) See if it gets coverage in N.K media.

I agree but with the logic we read yesterday the food would be from fukushima.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

it seems awfully hypocritical to be 'pro-Pyongyang' while living in a capitalist society.

I think one can welcome or even 'support' NK sports teams & athletes without being 'pro-Pyongyang". Perso I hope they do well and claim a few scalps at the tourney.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

dcog9065Today 08:24 am JST

Very very disturbing to see so many NK “residents” in Japan out waving flags of such a despicable government."

Dont forget that many of these "residents" were prisoners and slave labor during WW2 and have no country to go back to, while being denied citizenship by Japan!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I would kick out of the country all those idiots waving the NK flag. Go back to the motherland if you like it so much...

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I have no expectations to hear Japan news casters / narrators saying when NK lose the game they will be tortured, incarcerated or shot by death penalty. Information I heard decades ago of Russians or Chinese in Cold war, Iraqis in that Hussein regime, things of no proof, kind of propaganda, to show how this side is free and wonderful. Is really a utopian country where we are living?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Why do they live in Japan if they are patriotic towards and support a country that is openly hostile towards Japan?

I wouldn’t live in the DPRK and act the way they do.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

I don't see this as out of the ordinary like when Japan played in North Korea and the many fans who followed them there.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Not to get political, but it also seems like having North Korean teams here is a poke in Trump's eye.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

At least while the North Korean teams are here, we don't have to worry about NK bombing us. I'm pretty sure.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Sure sports should be free of politics...but it isn’t. Governments use “national” sports teams which represent their respective countries. Their conduct during these events reflects directly on the nation as a whole. If anyone here thinks for a second that the NK team has not undergone rigerous mental and psychological training to prevent defection. Trained in the art of intelligence gathering techniques aswell as propaganda dissemination, you would be greatly mistaken. This is not being used by NK as a sports event but rather is a multi-barbed political spear.

Japan should be doing the same as NK does with all its foreign visitors. Assign handlers to the teams to control exactly what they see, hear and do and completely limit interaction with the public. Thinking that this team is just a bunch of innocent kids only interested in playing football is unfortunately wishful thinking with The current NK regime. Hopefully one day that will not be the case. These NK teams are simply a political propaganda tool.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Give them all pre-paid smartphones and free wireless internet access, then let them tell their friends and familiesa when they return to NK

When I was young my hometown hosted a world youth sport event that included Cuba. It was the trailing end of the cold war. Back in the old days when defections were not uncommon. All the athletes were being billeted with local families, but when the Cuban team arrived - with plenty of 'minders' as well as machine gun toting guards, it was announced that they all had to stay together and some quick rearrangements needed to be made. After a couple of days, the guards were out of sight and everything relaxed. Athletes were allowed to visit their host families for a meal, even though they continued to spend nights in their hastily hauled in trailers.

My thinking is that these N. Korean athletes are also going to have plenty of minders watching them all the time they're not on the field and they won't have much opportunity to access the internet, or even watch TV.

I hope that the general public continues to wave, and to be friendly and to cheer. This may be the only way to make an impression that the outside world is a happy friendly place - unlike what they are told.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Japan should put on a buffet for them. I'm sure they would appreciate a decent meal. Its a sign of care and goodwill and a nice little propaganda opportunity ;) See if it gets coverage in N.K media.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

At least the team make it through the metal detector. Be suspicious of doors missing their hinges

I don't care what anybody thinks, that's funny.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

At least the team make it through the metal detector. Be suspicious of doors missing their hinges

1 ( +7 / -6 )

That's fine, I can't see why anyone would have a problem with that. Sport should always trump politics

5 ( +6 / -1 )

treat them with Japan omotenashi all-modern toilet seat and show them the night-sky of TOKYO and Kanto-region.

agree. Show them the Washlet.

This is good to see. Very very, good to see!

Exactly. They are athletes. Not soldiers.

Each wearing a matching red coat

As opposed to the Japanese recruit suits that you see during job hunting season?

6 ( +9 / -3 )

I bet lots of those flag wavers we flagged them selves.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Wow, should people investigate Americans who wave their flag, in case they have orders and looking for oil already? Or Russians who when waving their flags are hacking into the local digital systems and planting fake data and viruses? Here be hypocrisy, then.

Well, since neither of those countries have official UN sanctions against them, I'd say no.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Keep them in japan and trade with Japanese nationals abducted to NK.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

"North Korea is a threat to our country, our people, and the entire world !!"

"You japanese dog !! We will nuke your face soon !!"

"We'll see about that !! ... By the way, good luck for the ball game this friday !"

"You too ! Looking forward to it !"

0 ( +6 / -6 )

"dcog9065" I ardently hope that was an inappropriate joke... but just in case.

Wow, should people investigate Americans who wave their flag, in case they have orders and looking for oil already? Or Russians who when waving their flags are hacking into the local digital systems and planting fake data and viruses? Here be hypocrisy, then.

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

What’s your point? Kim Jong Un is always smiling ear to ear as well.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

They do not exactly look disgruntled or unfriendly. I see normal people who came for a sports(unneeded)championship. Guess North Korea is not exactly hell if they know smile. Or hypocrisy??

'Oh look, they're smiling, that must mean North Korea is a great place!'

You'd look happy too if you knew that your family would be murdered if you didn't.

God knows what will happen if they lose.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

They do not exactly look disgruntled or unfriendly. I see normal people who came for a sports(unneeded)championship. Guess North Korea is not exactly hell if they know smile. Or hypocrisy??

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

Very very disturbing to see so many NK “residents” in Japan out waving flags of such a despicable government. I would support investigation into this ilk to uncover what their orders are

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Welcome to Japan ladies ,

Hope to see some good football. (Plus one)

I hope to get my moneys worth from NHK and trust they will televise the games

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This is good to see. Very very, good to see!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Each wearing a matching red coat

I guess the men’s team didn’t wear uniforms or the AP reporter would’ve mentioned \the color of their coats?

10 ( +10 / -0 )

You're right, but being hypocritical is a part of the human condition. It's not unlike a rich right winger in the US who gloats about how everything he has, he earned and regularly condemns the "moocher class", but then takes a government tax cut because of his private jet.

That really doesn't make sense, but I find it funny that you must think a rich left winger would refuse the same tax cut.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Japan is so damn obsessed with North Korea.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

‘waved NORTH Korean flags’.

Perhaps the translator believes that Jucheland is the “True Korea.”

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Hope to see some good football. By the way it should be ‘waved NORTH Korean flags’.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

NK athletes are treated like royalty, some even play in overseas teams, J-League included. So I doubt they are aware of the plight of the average peon. Even if so, they are probably just as snooty as the other Pyongyang dwelling elites, who believe that the suffering of the common NK citizen is punishment for lack of dedication to Juche.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

oops...families

0 ( +0 / -0 )

extankerToday  07:08 am JST

I'm sure some of them are there to funnel income back to NK, but it seems awfully hypocritical to be 'pro-Pyongyang' while living in a capitalist society.

You're right, but being hypocritical is a part of the human condition. It's not unlike a rich right winger in the US who gloats about how everything he has, he earned and regularly condemns the "moocher class", but then takes a government tax cut because of his private jet.

16 ( +20 / -4 )

Give them all pre-paid smartphones and free wireless internet access, then let them tell their friends and familiesa when they return to NK

12 ( +13 / -1 )

I'm sure some of them are there to funnel income back to NK, but it seems awfully hypocritical to be 'pro-Pyongyang' while living in a capitalist society.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

treat them with Japan omotenashi all-modern toilet seat and show them the night-sky of TOKYO and Kanto-region.

All of them will be re-oriented to the real world, in contrast to the world (dark-ages) that mad man Kim Jung Un had given them.

17 ( +21 / -4 )

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