North Korean Team Coach Cuts Off Korean Reporter, Asks to Call Country Name Instead of North Korea?

"Please Use the Correct Country Name" Expresses Displeasure

North Korea women's soccer team coach Ri Yu-il drew a line at a press conference, cutting off a South Korean reporter and stating that they would not take questions unless the country's official name was called correctly.

Riyuil, head coach of the North Korean women's national football team.
Photo by AP Yonhap News

On the 27th, Coach Ri held a press conference ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics women's soccer Asian final qualifiers against Japan. While answering questions from the press that day, he showed a stern expression when a South Korean reporter continued asking questions. When the reporter asked, "I am curious about where the strength of North Korea women's soccer comes from," Ri raised his hand and interrupted before the question was finished, saying, "No. Sorry."

He then said firmly, "You must call the country's name correctly. We are not the North Korea team; we are the Democratic People's Republic of Korea team," adding, "If you do not call the country's name correctly, we will not take questions." The atmosphere at the scene instantly froze, and a few seconds of silence followed. Then, when the South Korean reporter asked for understanding, "Then is it okay to ask questions without using the title?" and resumed questioning, Coach Ri finally responded, "The driving force is the desire to bring honor to the country we represent, the wish to meet the expectations of family and relatives as players, and the desire to develop soccer and contribute even a little."

This is not the first time North Korea has reacted sensitively to the use of the name "North Korea." During the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games last year, similar incidents occurred multiple times. After the women's soccer quarterfinal match between North and South Korea, Coach Ri responded at a press conference to a reporter who said "the northern side," saying, "We are not the northern side; we are the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," and added, "If you do not correct it, we will not answer questions." Also, after the women's basketball North-South match, when a reporter mentioned "North Korea," a North Korean official expressed displeasure, saying, "We are 'DPR Korea' (Democratic People's Republic of Korea). Do not call us 'North Korea.'" However, ironically, North Korea was criticized for labeling South Korea as 'puppet' (괴뢰, meaning puppet regime) on the Chosun Central TV broadcast of the Asian Games.

Meanwhile, the North Korea women's soccer team entered Japan through Tokyo Haneda Airport on the 25th to play the 2024 Paris Olympics final qualifying match. The North Korea women's soccer team is scheduled to play the final qualifier against Japan at 6:30 p.m. on the 28th at the Tokyo National Stadium. At the press conference, Coach Ri said, "Japan has players who show excellent performances in Europe and worldwide," and added, "I think players like Hasegawa have outstanding abilities."