Kim Jong-un Bans Tottenham Matches in North Korea Due to Son Heung-min
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has prohibited state television from airing Tottenham Hotspur matches, reportedly due to the presence of South Korean captain Son Heung-min in the team.
This decision aligns with North Korea’s longstanding policy of restricting broadcasts of teams featuring South Korean players. As a result, matches involving Wolverhampton Wanderers (home to Hwang Hee-chan) and Brentford (where Kim Ji-soo plays) are also excluded from state-run KCTV broadcasts.
Despite North Korea’s 26 million citizens regularly watching English Premier League matches on KCTV, clubs with South Korean players are notably absent from the lineup.
Delayed and Edited Premier League Broadcasts
According to the Washington-based Stimson Center’s 38 North project, KCTV airs matches months after they take place, with games from August often shown as late as January.
Additionally, broadcasts are heavily edited down from 90 minutes to 60 minutes, potentially violating copyright laws.
Martyn Williams, a senior fellow at 38 North, pointed out that while most North Korean media is propaganda-driven, sports coverage remains one of the few unfiltered segments on television.
“We weren’t looking for anything in particular—we just noticed a lot of football on KCTV,” he explained. “It’s the main international sport they showcase.”
Unauthorized Premier League Coverage
In 2023, KCTV aired Premier League, World Cup, and Champions League matches despite not holding official broadcasting rights.
The decision to block teams featuring South Korean players highlights North Korea’s rigid stance toward its southern neighbor, reinforcing the regime’s ongoing efforts to limit exposure to South Korean influence.
