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The North Korean women’s soccer team that won the East Asian Cup in South Korea last weekend has received personal congratulations from Kim Jong Eun. Sports news relating to Kim, including his meeting with the soccer team and news that he attended an archery event, dominated the first three pages of Rodong Sinmun on August 1st.
According to Rodong Sinmun, the daily publication of the Chosun Workers’ Party, Kim told the victorious women, “The women’s soccer players showed off an independent strategy and perfect tactics. By winning on Victory Day, they gave our military and people, who were celebrating the victory of 7.27 [July 27th], faith and optimism.”
Local people were mobilized to welcome the returning women’s team as they travelled through Pyongyang en route to pay their respects at the main statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Mansudae Hill, an essential element in the process of return.
The North Korean team were quick to devote their win in the East Asian Cup to “the Marshal [Kim Jong Eun]’s love and care” after their victory in Seoul over the weekend,
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