France/North Korea - football diplomacy

North Korean footballers on training mission in France

Article published on the 2009-10-09 Latest update 2009-10-09 13:34 TU

NKorea team captain Nam Song Chol (R) in Saint-Sebastien-sur-Loire, 8 October 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

North Korean's national football team arrived in France Friday on a trip that a North Korean official says could help improve relations between the two countries. This is North Korea’s last official football trip to Europe before heading next year to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Nineteen players and nine coaches and officials arrived Thursday for a friendly match Friday with Nantes, in northwest France.

"I think and I hope that this session will greatly contribute to improving relations between the two countries," said Kim Myong-Sik, head of the North Korean general delegation to France, on Thursday in Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire, across the river from Nantes, where the team is training.

"I really think there is no reason that the two countries cannot have official relations,” he added.

France and North Korea have never had full diplomatic ties.

Former French Culture Minister Jack Lang has been picked by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to lead a mission on how to establish official links with North Korea. Lang is likely to visit Pyongyang in November.