In a press statement issued on Monday, the Democratic People Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s Football Association criticized the Netherlands for allegedly refusing entry visas for its athletes to participate in a women's soccer tournament next month.
According to the release by the Korean Central News Agency, North Korean sports authorities applied to send a team to the 14th World Military Women's Football Championship, which will take place from June 25th to July 9th.
“Shortly ago, the government of the Netherlands refused the issuing of an entry visa for the DPRK team, due to attend the 14th World Military Women’s Football Championship, without any justifiable reason,” the release read.
DPRK Football Association "bitterly denounces" the Dutch government's decision, calling it a "politicization of sports," and adding that the country "will not send its team" to the tournament.
After initially including North Korea in the tournament itinerary, the Dutch defence ministry reportedly rejected entry permits for the North Korean squad, placing them in Group C with Cameroon, the United States, and Germany.
When contacted by NK News, the Dutch government did not immediately comment on the DPRK's allegations.
The Dutch foreign ministry's website states that nationals of the DPRK who wish to obtain a Schengen visa for a short visit to the Netherlands must do so at the Dutch embassy in Seoul, South Korea. However, North Koreans are not permitted by their government to go to South Korea.
Since the previous year, there has been mounting evidence that the DPRK is preparing to relax the draconian border controls that have effectively blocked all inbound travel and significantly curtailed the number of outbound travellers.
For the first time, according to state media, people will be sent abroad to participate in an international sporting event after a formal statement was made on Monday.
It is unknown, however, if North Korea had intended to send a team, which would necessitate a significant loosening of border controls to allow the players to return to the DPRK after the event, or if they had only applied "just in case."
The general manager of Koryo Tours, Simon Cockerell, commented that the statement suggested visa applications were submitted.
But, he told NK News, "It's worth considering that the DPRK Football Association isn't part of the top government structure," therefore it has "no part in any decision to open the country."
Cockerell cautioned against making hasty conclusions, saying, "I'd hesitate to read too much into it as it could just be that they felt maybe there would be an opening so they had better apply for visas just in case the chance to use them arises."
According to NK News, Daniel Pinkston, a lecturer in international affairs at Troy University who is stationed in Seoul, suggested that North Korea's pariah status may have had a role in the country's apparent difficulty in obtaining visas.
"If you were a Dutch government official, it would be a headache explaining to your constituents why you gave visas to North Koreans," he said, referencing the fact that North Korea has openly violated U.N. sanctions while also supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
But Pinkston argued that young North Koreans would benefit from visiting other countries, "especially developed liberal democracies like the Netherlands."
The Director of Liberty in North Korea, Sokeel Park, echoed the call for countries to promote DPRK participation in sporting events.
“The pandemic has sent the North Korean government’s self-isolating instincts into hyperdrive and sports and other opportunities for people-to-people exchange should be used to coax it out, not reinforce their isolationism,” he said.
“Opportunities for North Korean people to travel abroad, meet people and see the world for themselves are meaningful and valuable, and the international community should make sure it is only ever the North Korean government that is saying no or denying these chances, not the other way round," he explained.
