North Korea censored Lee Kang-in‘s Club World Cup Goal in broadcast
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World Cup goal. State TV blurred his image, part of a pattern of downplaying South Korean athletes.">
north Korean state television has reportedly censored footage of South Korean footballer Lee Kang-in scoring a goal during a recent broadcast of the FIFA Club World Cup. The move is consistent with past practices of North Korean media to downplay or obscure the achievements of South Korean athletes.
Lee Kang-in’s Goal Scrubbed from North Korean Airwaves
During the broadcast of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Group B match, North Korea’s Chosun Central TV showed Paris Saint-germain’s (PSG) 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, which took place on June 16 (Korea time) in Pasadena, California. However, when Lee Kang-in scored a penalty kick, the broadcast blurred his image, obscuring his face and jersey number. The state-run media outlet made no mention of lee Kang-in by name during the coverage.
Did You Know? North Korea’s Chosun central TV typically airs sports games one to two hours before news broadcasts, sometimes omitting the games altogether.
Pattern of Censorship
This isn’t the first time North Korean media has taken steps to minimize the visibility of South Korean athletes. During the 2022 FIFA Qatar world Cup, the Taegeukgi (South Korean flag) was reportedly blurred during broadcasts. Additionally, South Korean athletes were referred to as the “Puppet Korean Team” during the 2024 Asian Football Federation (AFC) U-17 championship.
According to British media outlet Gib Miss Sports, the censoring of Lee Kang-in’s goal highlights North Korea’s ongoing efforts to control information and limit exposure to outside influences. This censorship is seen as a propaganda tactic by the Labor Party to prevent the achievements of South korean players from being recognized by the North Korean public.
Pro Tip: Censorship in North Korea extends beyond sports, impacting access to news, entertainment, and information from the outside world.
north Korea’s Media Control: A Broader Context
North Korea maintains strict control over its media landscape, limiting access to outside information and promoting a state-controlled narrative. This control extends to various aspects of life, including sports, where the achievements of South Korean athletes are often minimized or ignored. This practice is seen as part of a broader effort to maintain ideological purity and prevent the spread of outside influences within the country.
| Event | Action Taken |
|---|---|
| 2025 FIFA Club World Cup | Lee Kang-in’s goal blurred; player not mentioned by name. |
| 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup | Taegeukgi (South Korean flag) blurred. |
| 2024 AFC U-17 Championship | South Korean athletes referred to as “Puppet Korean Team.” |
What are your thoughts on North Korea’s media censorship? How does this impact international relations?
