S. Korea spends $158,800 to support N. Korean women's football team's matches - The Korea Times

Spectators cheer for players during a match between Suwon FC Women and Pyongyang-based Naegohyang Women's FC in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, May 20. Korea Times photo by Choi Joo-yeon

The unification ministry said Monday it spent 235 million won ($158,800) in government funds to support civic groups that cheered at matches featuring a North Korean women's football team in May and the ministry's preparations for the events.

The ministry disclosed the figure in a briefing to the National Assembly and shared it with domestic media.

The government drew on the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund, citing the event's role in fostering mutual understanding between the two Koreas.

Of some 320 million won approved for the events, the ministry spent 235 million won, including 149 million won in support for civic groups' cheering.