Wonsan, North Korea – A youth soccer tournament fostering sports exchange between North and South Korea is set to resume, officials announced November 23, 2025. The competition, a revival of the Ari Sports Cup originally launched in 2014, will be hosted in Wonsan and marks a significant step toward renewed inter-Korean dialog through athletic competition. Discussions are underway to finalize tournament details, including participation from Chinese youth teams as in previous iterations.
The Ari Sports Cup, designed for players aged 15 and under, previously rotated locations – Yeoncheon-gun, South Korea (2014); Pyongyang, North korea (2015); Kunming, China (2017); and Chuncheon, South korea (2018) - before being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament historically served as a rare venue for interaction between young athletes from the two Koreas, and its resumption is viewed as a positive sign amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. The initiative aims to alleviate strained relations and promote goodwill through a shared passion for soccer.
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