Incheon City to Launch 'South-North Youth Soccer Class'… Recruiting Children of North Korean Defectors

Incheon City will open the nation’s first ‘South-North Youth Soccer Class’ next month, where children of North Korean defectors and South Korean youth will participate together.

The program is open to 30 elementary school children of North Korean defectors, and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at the Incheon Hana Center until the 29th.

The soccer class will be held at the futsal field of the Incheon United Academy Nonhyeon Branch. Professional coaches will provide soccer skills training, and there will be sessions on teamwork and sportsmanship, held twice a week. In November, a unity soccer match will also take place.

This program, which brings together youth from North Korean defector families and local youth, aims not only to offer sports activities but also to foster mutual understanding, cooperation, and a sense of community.

Yoo Junho, Director of Policy Planning for Incheon City, stated, “As the need for settlement support and social integration for North Korean defector youth is growing, providing a space where South and North Korean youth can play and laugh together will be the true starting point for integration. We will analyze the results of this pilot program and work to expand it.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.