The widely believed heir designate of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visited the North Korean World Cup soccer team twice in April and May in an unofficial "site inspection," and allegedly promised to shower them with gifts, in case they play well in the games, a local daily said.
With the pledge, Jong-un also coached them how to play. "In both defense and offense, every player should work in an organic fashion," the Open Radio for North Korea Friday cited the heir, Kim Jong-il's third son, Jong-un, as saying, quoting an internal source in North Korea, according to the Chosun Ilbo newspaper.
Kim Jong-un also instructed the coach to make the team "undefeatable."
Even in closed country like North Korea, there is increasing enthusiasm for the World Cup, it said.
Jong-un also reportedly granted the soccer players a membership for the Workers' Party, an unusual favor.
"If North Korea achieves a good result this time, there will be corresponding gifts from Kim Jong-un," the North Korean source said.