16 June 2010
North Korea: The Enigma Lands In The Rainbow Nation
By Sam Parker
North Korea’s appearance at the World Cup finals has sparked the interest of the world’s media into a country that usually plays behind closed doors.
North Korea are quite the curious bunch. Misleadingly named the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, it is not their footballing abilities that have captured our interests, but their politics.
The limit of most people’s knowledge about DPR Korea comes from the film Team America: World Police and the satirical portrayal of the ‘Dear Leader’ Kim Jong-Il. And that’s the way they would have it, as little is allowed out of the country.
Western media is completely banned, whilst even tourism is monitored closely. It is estimated only 1500 visit from the entire western world every year, in which they are required to have a tour guide with them at all times. Photography is restricted in the communist state, as is any interaction with the local population.
Thus, North Korea is a mystery to many. Having the country represented at the World Cup has been a way to see into the heart of the country, despite the continued banning order on the western media from interacting with the team.
But this team hasn’t come to talk politics, or spread the good word of communism. They’re here to play football. They remain rank outsiders, which comes as no surprise given they face Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast in the group stages.
They have done a remarkable job in just reaching the finals. Twice they emerged from qualifying groups containing their stronger rivals from South Korea, whilst they handed out a two-legged 9-2 thrashing to Mongolia in the first round.
The final group saw them pitted against Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, as well as their southerly neighbours. Yet they snuck out of that group, albeit on the basis of the ineptitude of the Middle Eastern sides and South Korea doing them a few favours.
Their squad of unknowns is set to pit their wits against the likes of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba. Most of the team play in North Korea, so few people have seen them play. They are football’s biggest ‘unknown quantity’.
Only three members of the squad ply their footballing trade outside of the gated nation, with Jong Tae-Se the most notable. The forward has won many plaudits for his array of trickery and goal-scoring potential, with Blackburn Rovers reportedly keeping an eye on his displays in South Africa.
FIFA were however aware of the North Korean side, as they spotted a flaw in the naming of their final 23. Kim Myong-Won was registered as one of the three mandatory goalkeepers in the squad of 23, yet is recognised as a striker. FIFA were able to spot the sneaky plot, issuing a statement that he would have to play as a goalkeeper, or not at all.
Yet there could’ve been room for him to be in the squad, if recent reports are to be believed. After only 19 players were listed to face Brazil in their opening fixture, there has been speculation in Korea that four players had made themselves disappear, in order to escape the oppressive communist regime back home. Football may be the order of the day, but the politics are the question on everybody’s lips.
Their fans are Chinese sympathisers, as those in North Korea are forbidden from following their team abroad, due to worries about them interacting within a capitalist society. These fans remain as informed about their side as the average outsider, with the state controlling media reports to reflect favourably upon the Dear Leader.
Yet this is a side who possess some real attacking flair, combined with a resolute defence. They may be rank outsiders and will not be expecting to make a big impact on the tournament, but they will come with the intention of being remembered. And not for embarrassing themselves.
One banner in the match against Brazil read, “forget politics for 90 minutes.” It’s about time we did and concentrate on a team who could offer a lot to the 2010 World Cup.
