Overview
- The Unification Ministry disclosed Monday that it disbursed about 235.29 million won from the Inter‑Korean Cooperation Fund for cheering activities and event operations tied to a North Korean club's May visit.
- The settlement report shows 148.74 million won went to support joint civic cheering groups, including 25.24 million won to buy 5,048 match tickets and 59.1 million won for cheering supplies and refreshments.
- Another 84.55 million won covered event operations such as electronic scoreboards, vehicle rentals, travel‑route security and honoraria for civic‑group staff, and 2 million won paid for an independent audit of the subsidy settlement.
- The ministry says it advanced payments to the Inter‑Korean Exchange and Cooperation Support Association because the team's participation was confirmed on short notice and the final total was set after post‑event accounting.
- The May 20–23 visit by Pyongyang’s Naegohyang Women’s FC — the first North Korean sports‑team trip to South Korea in over seven years — has drawn criticism over the use of taxpayer‑backed funds and is likely to increase scrutiny of future Inter‑Korean Cooperation Fund spending.