Ministry of Unification: "Regret North Korea's Absence from Qatar World Cup Regional Qualifiers"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The Ministry of Unification expressed regret on the 17th over North Korea's decision to withdraw from the 2022 Qatar World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Lee Jong-joo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing that he "regretted North Korea's decision" to withdraw from the Qatar World Cup Asian qualifiers and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, following their absence from the Tokyo Olympics.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The spokesperson stated, "The Ministry of Unification has held the position that if opportunities for inter-Korean sports exchanges arise through international sporting events such as the World Cup, it would be a positive development," adding, "We will continue efforts to find opportunities to advance peace on the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation through international competitions."

However, he explained that North Korea's decision to withdraw "is not a matter for inter-Korean consultation but rather an issue handled according to the rules of international sporting events under FIFA through organizations such as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)," and "At this point, it is not considered a subject for separate inter-Korean talks."

Earlier, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on the 16th via its website that "North Korea Football Association's withdrawal from the Qatar World Cup Asian qualifiers and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup has been confirmed."

Meanwhile, regarding reports by some media that two North Korean sailors, forcibly repatriated on charges of murdering fellow crew members in 2019, were executed less than two months after deportation, the spokesperson said, "Since the deportation, the government has no information on the identity or situation of the deportees."