# North Korea women's national football team

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea women's national football team (Munhwaŏ Korean: 조선민주주의인민공화국 녀자 국가종합팀, recognized as Korea DPR by FIFA) represents North Korea in international women's football.
North Korea is one of the Asian Football Confederation women's powerhouses alongside Japan, China and Australia. The Eastern Azaleas won the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2001 (scoring 53 goals in 6 matches, a record that still stands), 2003, and 2008, and reached the quarterfinals of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.

## History
### 1980s

According to data from the Korean Central News Agency, women's football in the country began to take shape in 1985. The first football team was formed in the Society of Provincial Sports of South Pyongan Province (Korean: 평안남도체육선수단), and other women's football teams started emerging soon after. On May 19, 1986, the first exhibition match of women's football teams was played at the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.
The first international match of the North Korean national team was held on December 21, 1989, against the Chinese national team as part of the 1989 AFC Women's Championship. The match, which took place in Hong Kong, ended in a 1–4 defeat for the Koreans. Later in the same tournament, the national team played two more matches, losing 1–3 to Chinese Taipei and winning 4–0 against Thailand, thus finishing third in their group. In the following year, in 1990, the North Korean national team won their first international medal, securing bronze medals at the Women's Football Tournament of the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing. They only suffered one loss to the Chinese team during the tournament and achieved a 7–0 victory against the South Korean national team.
The 1991 AFC Women's Championship in Japan, in addition to its primary purpose, served as a qualification stage for the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup, with the top three Asian teams earning a spot in the World Cup. The North Korean national team had a successful start in the tournament, finishing second in their subgroup, which qualified them for the semi-finals. In the semi-final match, the Koreans were defeated by the Chinese team with a score of 0–1. In the match for third place, they faced the Chinese Taipei team. The regular and extra time of the match ended in a goalless draw, and the winner was determined in a penalty shootout, in which the North Korean national team lost 4–5, finishing fourth in the tournament and narrowly missing qualification for the World Cup. The 1993 AFC Women's Championship brought silver medals to the North Korean team, as they only lost the final match to the Chinese team with a score of 3–0. The North Korean team missed the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup tournament as they were absent from 1994 Asian Games held in Hiroshima, which served as a parallel qualification for the World Cup. The North Korean national team was also absent from the 1995 AFC Women's Championship.
For the first time in their history, the Korean women's team secured a spot in the World Cup after finishing as runners-up in the 1997 AFC Women's Championship. In the semi-finals, they defeated the Japanese national team with a score of 1–0. In the final match, they faced the Chinese team once more and were defeated 0–2. At the 1998 Asian Games, the North Korean national team reached the final again but lost 0–1 to its Chinese counterparts. In their first World Cup, the North Korean team was placed in a group with Nigeria, Denmark, and the tournament hosts, the United States. They lost their first match against Nigeria 1–2, but bounced back in the second match to defeat the Danish team 3–0. A 0–3 loss to the United States in the final group-stage match left the North Korean team in third place in the group, preventing them from reaching the tournament's knockout stage.

### Disqualification for 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

During the team's participation at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, on 7 July 2011, FIFA announced that two of its players, Song Jong-Sun and Jong Pok-Sim, had failed doping tests during the tournament and were provisionally suspended prior to their team's match against Colombia. On 16 July, FIFA announced that three additional players from North Korea tested positive following target testing of the whole team. North Korea reasoned the positive doping results in from deer musk-derived Chinese traditional medicine used to treat players hit by lightning. On 25 August 2011, the North Korean team was fined US$ 400,000 which is equal to the prize it received by finishing 13th in the 2011 tournament, and was excluded from participation at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, including its qualification round.

### 2020s

After it won the 2019 Cyprus Women's Cup in March 2019, the team was inactive until the 2022 Asian Games (played in September 2023) partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic; during this time, the team became unranked due to a lack of FIFA-recognized play. The team's ranking has since been restored. North Korea would almost qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics losing to Japan in the two-leg third round Olympic qualifiers.
As of the June 2024 FIFA rankings, the team is ranked 10th in the world.

## Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

### Legend

Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

### 2024
## Coaching staff
### Current coaching staff

    As of 30 September 2023.
| Role | Name |
| Head coach | Ri Yu-il |
| Team Manager | Kim Myong-chol |
| Assistant coach | Pak Song-jin |
| Goalkeeping coach | Kim Myong-gil |
| Fitness coach | Ri Jong-sim |
| Team Doctor | Pak Kyong-hui |

### Manager history

* Myong Dong-chan (명동찬) (1989–1999)
* Ri Song-gun (리성근) (1999–2003)
* Sin Ui-gun (신의근) (2012)
* Kim Kwang-min (김광민) (2004–2011, 2013–2019)
* Jo Song-ok (조성옥) (2016)
* Ri Yu-il (리유일) (2023–present)
| Name | Period | Tournament |
| Myong Dong-chan | 1989–1999 | 1989 AFC Women's Championship: Group Stage 1991 AFC Women's Championship: Fourth place 1993 AFC Women's Championship: Second place 1997 AFC Women's Championship: Second place 1998 Asian Games: Silver medal Winners 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup: Group stage |
| Ri Song-gun | 1999–2003 | 1999 AFC Women's Championship: Third Place 2001 AFC Women's Championship: Champions 2002 Albena Cup: Champions 2002 Asian Games: Gold medal Winners 2003 AFC Women's Championship: Champions 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup: Group stage |
| Sin Ui-gun | 2012 | 2012 Four Nations Tournament: Champions 2012 Summer Olympics: Group stage |
| Kim Kwang-min | 2004–2011 2013–2019 | 2004 Australia Cup: Champions 2005 EAFF Women's Football Championship: Second place 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup: Third Place 2006 Asian Games: Gold medal Winners 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup: Quarter-finalists 2008 EAFF Women's Football Championship: Second place 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup: Champions 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup: Second place 2010 Asian Games Silver medal Winners 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup: Group stage 2013 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup: Champions 2014 Four Nations Tournament: Second place 2014 Algarve Cup: Eighth place 2014 Asian Games: Gold medal Winners 2015 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup: Champions 2017 Cyprus Women's Cup: Third Place 2017 Yongchuan International Tournament: Second Place 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship: Champions 2018 Cyprus Women's Cup: Third Place 2018 Asian Games: Quarter-finalists 2019 Cyprus Women's Cup: Champions |
| Ri Yu-il | 2023–present | 2022 Asian Games: Silver medal Winners |

## Players
### Current squad

The following 20 players were called up for Friendly matches against Russia.
* Match dates: 12 and 15 July 2024
* Opposition: Russia
* Caps and goals correct as of: 15 July 2024, after the match against Russia
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 18 | 1GK | Yu Son-gum | (2003-11-08) 8 November 2003 (age 21) | 6 | 0 | Sobaeksu Sports Club |
| 1 | 1GK | Kim Jong-sun | (2003-10-13) 13 October 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Sobaeksu Sports Club |
| 6 | 2DF | Myong Yu-jong (명유정) | (2003-08-29) 29 August 2003 (age 21) | 16 | 3 | April 25 Sports Club |
| 15 | 2DF | Ri Jong-gum | (2002-08-09) 9 August 2002 (age 22) | 7 | 0 | April 25 Sports Club |
| 19 | 2DF | Kim Su-rim | (age 22) | 2 | 1 | |
| 20 | 2DF | Ri Hye-gyong | (1999-09-24) 24 September 1999 (age 25) | 14 | 0 | Amnokgang Sports Club |
| 4 | 3MF | Kim Song-gyong | (2005-02-12) 12 February 2005 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | |
| 5 | 3MF | An Kuk-hyang | (2001-03-25) 25 March 2001 (age 23) | 2 | 0 | |
| 9 | 3MF | Ju Hyo-sim (주효심) | (1998-06-21) 21 June 1998 (age 26) | 12 | 3 | April 25 Sports Club |
| 10 | 4FW | Ri Hak (리학) | (2002-06-12) 12 June 2002 (age 22) | 13 | 9 | April 25 Sports Club |
| 11 | 4FW | Han Jin-hong | (2002-02-16) 16 February 2002 (age 23) | 9 | 7 | April 25 Sports Club |
| 12 | 4FW | Hong Song-ok (홍성옥) | (2003-08-21) 21 August 2003 (age 21) | 15 | 8 | Amnokgang Sports Club |
| 13 | 4FW | Kim Chung-mi | (2003-06-01) 1 June 2003 (age 21) | 12 | 4 | April 25 Sports Club |
| 14 | 4FW | Jong Yun-mi | (2002-02-04) 4 February 2002 (age 23) | 1 | 0 | |
| 2 | | Ham Ye-song | | 1 | 0 | |
| 3 | | Jo Pom-mi | | 2 | 0 | |
| 7 | 3MF | Choe Song-gyong | (2004-02-18) 18 February 2004 (age 21) | 2 | 0 | |
| 8 | | Kang Hyong-wi | | 2 | 0 | |
| 16 | | Kim Su-gyong | | 2 | 0 | |
| 17 | | Ro Jin-a | | 0 | 0 | |

### Recent call ups

* The following players have been called up to a North Korea squad in the past 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Kim Un-hui | (1999-02-01) 1 February 1999 (age 26) | 5 | 0 | Amnokgang Sports Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| GK | Pak Ju-mi | (2003-07-01) 1 July 2003 (age 21) | 6 | 0 | Naekohyang Sport Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| DF | Ri Myong-gum (리명금) | (2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 (age 22) | 11 | 1 | Naekohyang Sport Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| DF | Ri Kum-hyang (리금향) | (2001-04-22) 22 April 2001 (age 23) | 13 | 2 | Naekohyang Sport Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| DF | Pong Song-ae (봉성애) | (2001-11-30) 30 November 2001 (age 23) | 5 | 4 | Naekohyang Sport Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| DF | Song Chun-sim | (2002-05-29) 29 May 2002 (age 22) | 3 | 3 | Pyongyang Sports Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| DF | Pak Sin-Jong | (1997-07-27) 27 July 1997 (age 27) | 3 | 0 | Amnokgang Sports Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| DF | Son Ok-ju | (2000-03-07) 7 March 2000 (age 25) | 4 | 0 | Rimyongsu Sports Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| DF | Ri Pom-Hyang | (1998-03-15) 15 March 1998 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | April 25 Sports Club | 2022 Asian Games |
| MF | Ri Su-jong | (2002-07-05) 5 July 2002 (age 22) | 10 | 6 | Naekohyang Sport Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| MF | Choe Kum-ok | (2002-02-23) 23 February 2002 (age 23) | 12 | 4 | Naekohyang Sport Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| MF | Wi Jong-sim (위정심) (captain) | (1997-10-13) 13 October 1997 (age 27) | 7 | 0 | April 25 Sports Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| MF | Kim Jong-sim | (1999-09-26) 26 September 1999 (age 25) | 7 | 5 | | 2025 EAFF E-1 Championship Prelim. round |
| FW | Sung Hyang-sim (승향심) | (1999-12-02) 2 December 1999 (age 25) | 11 | 6 | Pyongyang Sports Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| FW | Kim Kyong-yong (김경영) | (2002-01-02) 2 January 2002 (age 23) | 13 | 17 | Naekohyang Sport Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| FW | Kim Hye-yong (김혜영) | (2003-03-11) 11 March 2003 (age 21) | 9 | 7 | Naekohyang Sport Club | 2024 Olympic Qualifying |
| FW | An Myong-song | (2001-08-16) 16 August 2001 (age 23) | 5 | 4 | Amnokgang Sports Club | 2022 Asian Games |

## Honours
### Continental

* AFC Women's Asian Cup
    Champions: 2001, 2003, 2008
    Runners-up: 1993, 1997, 2010
* Asian Games
    Champions: 2002, 2006, 2014
    Runners-up: 1998, 2010, 2022
    Bronze Medalists: 1990

### Regional

* EAFF E-1 Football Championship
    Champions: 2013, 2015, 2017
    Runners-up: 2005, 2008

### Other invitational tournaments

* Albena Cup
    Champions: 2002
* Australia Cup
    Champions: 2004
* Cyprus Women's Cup
    Champions: 2019
* Four Nations Tournament
    Champions: 2012

## Competitive record
### FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record :
| Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 1991 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1995 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1999 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 |
| 2003 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 |
| 2007 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 |
| 2011 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | −3 |
| 2015 | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned |
| 2019 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2023 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2027 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Total | 4/9 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 20 | −8 |
    *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
FIFA Women's World Cup history :
| Year | Round | Date | Opponent | Result | Stadium |
| 1999 | Group stage | 20 June | Nigeria | L 1–2 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena |
| 1999 | Group stage | 24 June | Denmark | W 3–1 | Civic Stadium, Portland |
| 1999 | Group stage | 27 June | United States | L 0–3 | Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough |
| 2003 | Group stage | 20 September | Nigeria | W 3–0 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 2003 | Group stage | 25 September | Sweden | L 0–1 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 2003 | Group stage | 28 September | United States | L 0–3 | Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus |
| 2007 | Group stage | 11 September | United States | D 2–2 | Chengdu Sports Center, Chengdu |
| 2007 | Group stage | 14 September | Nigeria | W 2–0 | Chengdu Sports Center, Chengdu |
| 2007 | Group stage | 18 September | Sweden | L 1–2 | Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium, Tianjin |
| 2007 | Quarter-finals | 22 September | Germany | L 0–3 | Wuhan Stadium, Wuhan |
| 2011 | Group stage | 28 June | United States | L 0–2 | Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, Dresden |
| 2011 | Group stage | 2 July | Sweden | L 0–1 | Impuls Arena, Augsburg |
| 2011 | Group stage | 6 July | Colombia | D 0–0 | Ruhrstadion, Bochum |

### Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record :
| Hosts / Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA | GD |
| 1996 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2000 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2004 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | –1 |
| 2012 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | –4 |
| 2016 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2020 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2024 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| Total | 2/7 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 9 | -5 |

### AFC Women's Asian Cup

AFC Women's Asian Cup record :
| Hosts / Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD |
| 1975 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1977 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1980 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1981 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1983 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1986 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1989 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | −1 |
| 1991 | Fourth place | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 2 | +23 |
| 1993 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 4 | +14 |
| 1995 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1997 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 6 | +18 |
| 1999 | Third place | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 8 | +20 |
| 2001 | Winners | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 1 | +52 |
| 2003 | Winners | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 3 | +47 |
| 2006 | Third place | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 3 | +13 |
| 2008 | Winners | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | +13 |
| 2010 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | +5 |
| 2014 | Banned (see above) | Banned (see above) | Banned (see above) | Banned (see above) | Banned (see above) | Banned (see above) | Banned (see above) | Banned (see above) |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2022 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2026 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | 10/21 | 53 | 37 | 6 | 10 | 241 | 37 | +204 |
    *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

### Asian Games

Football at the Asian Games :
| Hosts / Year | Result | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 1990 | Third place | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 3 | +16 |
| 1994 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1998 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 4 | +22 |
| 2002 | Winners | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 |
| 2006 | Winners | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 | +14 |
| 2010 | Runners-up | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 |
| 2014 | Winners | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | +14 |
| 2018 | 6th place | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 25 | 4 | +21 |
| 2022 | Runners-up | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 30 | 5 | +25 |
| 2026 | TBD | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 7/8 | 31 | 22 | 6 | 5 | 115 | 17 | +98 |

### EAFF E-1 Football Championship

EAFF E-1 Football Championship (women) :
| Hosts / Year | Result | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 2005 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| 2008 | Runners-up | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 |
| 2010 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2013 | Winners | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| 2015 | Winners | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | +5 |
| 2017 | Winners | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 |
| 2019 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2022 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2025 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| Total | 5/9 | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 9 | +16 |

### Algarve Cup

Algarve Cup record :
| Year | Result | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 2014 | 8th place | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 |
| Total | 1/27 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 |

### Cyprus Women's Cup

Cyprus Women's Cup record :
| Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 2017 | Third place | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | +7 |
| 2018 | Third place | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 |
| 2019 | Champions | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 6 | +6 |
| Total | 3/13 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 9 | +17 |

### Four Nations Tournament

Four Nations Tournament record :
| Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 2012 | Champions | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| 2014 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| Total | 2/18 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | +4 |