Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Scalpers to hit Pyongyang with WC qualifier tickets
Tottenham Hotspur attacker Son Heung-min, rear, and Valencia midfielder Lee Kang-in will play for South Korea in its FIFA World Cup qualifier against North Korea in Pyongyang, Tuesday. / Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
A scalper's ticket at the upcoming inter-Korean FIFA World Cup qualifier, Oct. 15 would be estimated to cost around 50,000 North Korean won, or $6, sources familiar with the issue said, Sunday.
They said the tickets were expected to be sold out and that some North Korean football fans would “willingly purchase” scalper's tickets because North Koreans were excited about key South Korean international footballers Song Heung-min and Lee Kang-in coming to Pyongyang.
“Many fans still find the price worthy enough as long as they can see Son and Lee on the pitch,” a source said, adding that the $6 ticket was equivalent to buying 10 kilograms of rice.
Part of the second round of World Cup qualifiers, the Oct. 15 match will take place at the 50,000-seat Kim Il Sung Stadium.
Son, 26, and Lee, 18, are familiar names, with the former a Tottenham Hotspur ace and the latter a rising star at Valencia.
“North Korean football fans have heard about Son and Lee and their trip to Pyongyang has been talk of the town,” another source said.
Their popularity in North Korea was worth noting, the sources said. They pointed out that as one of the world's most reclusive countries, the North did not allow live broadcasts of football matches outside the country and instead sent recorded files.
The North's media outlets have yet to report on the upcoming match with the South, the first since October 1990. It is also uncertain whether it will be aired live. But sports authorities have shared news about the South Korean national team's scheduled visit to Pyongyang, the capital.
North Korea plans to stage a mass display during the match.
Last week, the Ministry of Unification said the North had yet to respond to the South's repeated requests to hold talks about broadcasting the game live and allowing South Korean spectators to attend.
The sources added that a live broadcast was very unlikely.
“The North may also play recorded footage only if it wins,” the source said.