Mounting tensions between North and South Korea have now spilled over into the World Cup with the South Korean television company SBS, accusing the North of piracy.
North Korean state television aired three World Cup games, but SBS says that they have sole right to broadcast FIFA World Cup games over the Korean peninsula.
None of the games broadcast involved teams from North Korea’s political enemies, the United States, or South Korea.
“The North’s broadcast was unauthorized as we have the broadcasting rights for entire Korean Peninsula. The company will decide its measure after determining how North Korea secured the footage,” said an SBS official to Yonhap News.
The sinking of a South Korean naval ship has put the relationship between the two countries at its lowest point in the past 50 years. A multinational investigation concluded that a North Korea torpedo sank the ship, killing 46 South Korean soldiers.
It took North Korea 44 years to re-enter the World Cup. In an interview with FIFA, North Korean national soccer team member Jong Tae-sae said that though the team is placed in a difficult group, they believe “they are going to win.”
South Korea placed fourth in the 2002 World Cup. In their first match of this year’s cup on Saturday, they won over Greece 2-0.
North Korea’s first match will be on June 15 when they play against the 2002 champion, Brazil.
North Korean state television aired three World Cup games, but SBS says that they have sole right to broadcast FIFA World Cup games over the Korean peninsula.
None of the games broadcast involved teams from North Korea’s political enemies, the United States, or South Korea.
“The North’s broadcast was unauthorized as we have the broadcasting rights for entire Korean Peninsula. The company will decide its measure after determining how North Korea secured the footage,” said an SBS official to Yonhap News.
The sinking of a South Korean naval ship has put the relationship between the two countries at its lowest point in the past 50 years. A multinational investigation concluded that a North Korea torpedo sank the ship, killing 46 South Korean soldiers.
It took North Korea 44 years to re-enter the World Cup. In an interview with FIFA, North Korean national soccer team member Jong Tae-sae said that though the team is placed in a difficult group, they believe “they are going to win.”
South Korea placed fourth in the 2002 World Cup. In their first match of this year’s cup on Saturday, they won over Greece 2-0.
North Korea’s first match will be on June 15 when they play against the 2002 champion, Brazil.
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