In a move to restrict access to football matches featuring South Korean players, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has prohibited state television from airing Tottenham Hotspur matches. This decision stems from the team’s captain, Son Heung-min, who is a South Korean national.
As a result, Kim Jong-un will miss out on watching Tottenham host his favorite team, Manchester United, in an upcoming clash. This ban is not limited to Tottenham Hotspur, as Premier League teams Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford, featuring South Korean players Hwang Hee-chan and Kim Ji-soo, respectively, were also excluded from state TV broadcasts last year.
Football fans in North Korea typically experience a delayed and condensed viewing experience, with matches shortened from 90 minutes to 60 minutes and aired about four months after they are played. These broadcasts usually precede state news bulletins.
