North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has barred state television from broadcasting Tottenham Hotspur matches, citing the presence of South Korean captain Son Heung-min.
The ban aligns with the regime’s policy of excluding teams featuring South Korean players, affecting Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford as well.
North Korea’s 26 million citizens regularly watch English Premier League matches on state-run KCTV, but broadcasts exclude clubs with South Korean players.
Spurs, led by Son, are not shown, nor are Wolverhampton Wanderers, featuring Hwang Hee-chan, and Brentford, where Kim Ji-soo plays.
According to the Washington-based Stimson Center’s 38 North project, KCTV airs matches months after they occur, with August fixtures shown in January.
Matches are edited down from 90 minutes to 60 minutes, potentially violating copyright laws.
Senior fellow Martyn Williams noted that while North Korean broadcasts are heavily propagandized, sports coverage is among the few exceptions.
“There wasn’t really any intention to the research except that we thought it was interesting. We just saw a lot of football on KCTV. It’s the main international sport they broadcast,” he said.
In 2023, KCTV aired Premier League, World Cup, and Champions League matches, despite lacking broadcasting rights.
The policy of restricting teams with South Korean players underscores the regime’s stance on its southern rival.
