Two Koreas hold joint football match for national reunification

Football players from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) compete for the ball during the North-South workers' football match for national reunification in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on October 29, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) jointly held a workers' football match Thursday at May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, a move aimed to improve inter-Korean relations and strengthen national solidarity.

South Korea's Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions Kim Tong-man said in his speech that the football match will mark a great stride forward for the workers in realizing their will for peaceful reunification enshrined in the June 15 joint declaration and Oct. 4 declaration.

The digital screen inside the stadium read "Compatriot workers from the South, you are welcome to Pyongyang to take part in the North-South workers' football match for national reunification!" The whole stadium burst into thunderous applause when football players from the two Koreas stepped into the field hand in hand, waving to the spectators.

Tens of thousands of people watched the game. From time to time, spectators chanted "reunification of our fatherland," "national reconciliation" and "June 15th reunification." The South Korean players wore white uniforms with a pattern of the whole Korean Peninsula on their shirts.

The 162-strong South Korean delegation flew to Pyongyang on Wednesday and will return on Saturday. The last time the two Koreas hosted such a football match was in 2007 in Changwon of South Korea.