Inside North Korea’s Obsession With Dominating Girls Soccer | World News

**Revised Title:** "North Korea's Secret to Success: Uncovering the Regime's Obsession with Youth Soccer" **Revised Article:** SEOUL—North Korea's dominance in youth women's soccer has left rival teams stunned and coaches searching for answers. The country's young female athletes possess unmatched stamina, mental toughness, and physical aggression, making them a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. For a cash-strapped nation, North Korea's investment in youth soccer is a strategic move to gain international prestige and propaganda victories. The regime believes that other nations won't subject preteen girls to arduous training, leaving opportunities for outsize achievement. Coaches and players from rival teams describe the North Korean women as "unstoppable" and "like a different species." "I don't think we could have beaten them," said the Netherlands coach after losing 3-0 to North Korea in the youth women's World Cup final. "They don't let you breathe." North Korea's obsession with winning is rooted in the regime's desire to demonstrate its resilience against international sanctions and drive nationalism among younger citizens. The country's girls have won the 17-and-under FIFA competition a record four times and currently hold the title for women 20 years old and under. The U-17 squad's victory in Morocco in November was met with grand celebrations in Pyongyang, with soldiers saluting the team and mothers waving colorful bouquets. Star player Yu Jong Hyang, who netted eight goals in seven matches, downplayed her individual achievements, saying "They were goals scored together by all of the players on the team. Not just by me." Experts say the regime is trying to turn these girls into role models, portraying their victories as big wins for North Korean socialism and Kim Jong Un himself. The regime faces significant logistical challenges, including malnutrition and limited resources, but has managed to tap into a pool of talented young athletes from privileged backgrounds. For their sacrifice, the victorious players and their families are afforded enormous perks, including extra rations, apartments in Pyongyang, and the chance to meet the leader. Kim Jong Un recently met with the championship U-17 squad, praising their "pure and clean conscience" and "footprints of prosperity." However, North Korea's dominance in youth soccer is unlikely to be replicated in other age groups. The senior women's squad hasn't appeared at a World Cup since 2011, and the men's teams are not competitive. The physical advantage of the young North Korean athletes erodes over time, and they are unable to move to foreign leagues due to sanctions. Despite the challenges, North Korea's focus on youth soccer is a testament to the regime's willingness to invest in sports as a means of promoting its ideology and gaining international recognition. As one expert noted, "The stakes for winning are just so much higher for the North Koreans."