News and Politics | June 22, 2010 | 5 comments

How was North Korea's 7-0 loss against Portugal reported at home?



When North Korea held their own against World Cup giants Brazil last week and finished on 2-1 (impressive, as losses go), North Korean football fans were allowed to watch the game, but only on the country's sole, government -run TV channel and over 12 hours after the match finished. 

A week later, still buoyant with their national team's previous 'success', things were slightly different when North Korea played Portugal. This time the game was broadcast live. It was the first time a North Korean game played on foreign soil has been broadcast live back home, and let's be honest, it's probably the last. 

North Koreans are used to seeing only positive news about their segregated country, since the nation's authoritarian regime exerts strict control over the media and what it broadcasts. Instead of uplifting propaganda, they saw their team on the receiving end of a humiliating 7-0 thrashing - the worst result of this year's tournament so far and enough to stop them advancing to the next round.

As the game drew to an end, coverage of Monday's match was quickly halted. A Korean Central Broadcasting commentator curtly informed viewers, "The Portuguese won the game and now have four points. We are ending our live broadcast now."

The feed then cut to footage of factory workers praising North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il. 

The country's reclusive nature means there's been much speculation and rumours about what fate awaits the players if they don't meet expectations. Defectors, including the ex-North Korean coach, said unimpressive performances overseas meant punishment at home, including being sent to coal mines.  At the weekend, North Korea's coach Kim Jong Hun denied anything would happen to the players if they they didn't win. 

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose; it doesn't always turn out the way you want. But there are going to be no further consequences."

And our players thought they had it bad with the negative tabloid coverage, eh?

On Friday, North Korea go up against Ivory Coast, who managed a 0-0 draw against Portugal. Japan-born North Korean midfielder An Yong Hak told press the mood in the locker room "wasn't good" but added that he was already looking forward to the next game.

"We mae a lot of mistakes that forced us to eat too many goals. But we'll try and hardest... and do our best in the final game."

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Portugal vs North Korea: 7-0: the highlights

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    News and Politics,   World Cup
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5 comments // How was North Korea's 7-0 loss against Portugal reported at home?

richjm
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