oldtype

His situation, coupled with that of the Korean diaspora in Japan is... complex to say the least. Short version, he has a South Korean passport because his parents are nominally South Korean because they (or their parents) who had been living in Japan because they/their parents were brought there as laborers during the occupation chose "South" when we were divided after Independance. So despite being South Korean they have very little allegiance to South Korea in particular and most likely have never been there, which lead them to send him to a North Korean school in Japan. (because North Korea offers more support to its Japanese diaspora than South Korea, including offering free schooling, probably because they need the better PR.) Having attended a North Korean school from a young age, Jeong identifies himself as North Korean despite living in Japan all his life and having no intention of ever moving to North Korea, just like thousands of other Korean Diaspora in Japan who've attended North Korean schools do. I can understand the reaction to the national anthem. The "Jainichi" are a heavily marginalized minority in Japanese society and he's probably lived with a lot of discrimination his whole life. It was probably a combination sheer joy out of just being there + the feeling of achievement that he's finally in a position to sing the national anthem he learned as a schoolboy without anyone looking at him funny. Like I said, complex Now, I'm the last person to defend Jeong (or his parents') choice of nationality (YOU'VE GOT SOUTH KOREAN PASSPORTS YOU IDIOTS ,) but it's more complex than "he doesn't even live in North Korea! GLORY HUNTER WTF!!!"

hey oldtype i paid paid particular attention to your man Cha in the first game and he's fuckin class - i too remember him as a shockingly bad forward but he appears to be the classic example of someone being moved to his natural position did everything right, everything; his distribution, timing and positioning were great - making no mention of his strength and pace...reminded me of Seitaridis when Greece won the Euros actually, an unplayable fullback have him at the toon in a heartbeat He had a great game and I'd love us to sign him but... er... yeah, I suggest we look at how he does against Argentina before calling him "unplayable." I have a serious man-crush on him but he's been a joke for too long for me to believe that he's suddenly hit his prime at age 29.

I actually wouldnt mind Jong Tae-se here. Would it actually be possible to get awork permit though? Think it's only possible for countries 70 and up on the FIFA ranking? Could be he have a Japanese passport as well, though, in which case it should be possible. he doesn't have a Japanese passport. The Japanese government very rarely allows Koreans (if at all) to hold Japanese passports .....only permanent residence visas. I have been living in Japan previously and this is what I was told by the Koreans living there. Actually they rarely give passports to any non Japanese. Even if he did have a Japanese passport it would make no difference. He hasn't appeared for the Japanese national team has he in 70% of their games. He has a South Korean passport but like you said it doesn't matter because he's been playing for the North Korean national team. When he was on trial for Blackburn previously I believe there was also some concern that the Home Office would just flat out refuse to issue a work permit for a North Korean international due to security issues.

I just got a beautiful image in my head. Ronaldo crying his eyes out after losing to North Korea 1-0.

Would have been absolutely magical if that goal made it 1-1, but still, good show nK. That was an excellent effort. They just might spoil the party for Portugal or Cote D'Ivoire.

For the first time in the tournament, I can hear the crowd cheering a team on.

go get another at the death to make this the best match ever.

WTF wow

The risk you run with their style of play, sometimes your body just can't defend and close down like that for 90 minutes.

looks like open season for Brazil now

Epic pass though.

Sigh, here we go with the slaughter now.

Dead leg, bad sign. The way they've been running I wouldn't be surprised if they started falling apart out of pure exhaustion soon.

He wouldn't have hit it hard with the top of his foot like that if it was a cross

Brilliant finish by Maicon. Sadly, this could easily go to 5~6-0 now

Damn. Oh well, fun while it lasted.

Shit, this freekick is going to go in

I seriously don't know how you can criticize a team like North Korea for playing defensively against Brazil Might as well be angry at Burton Albion for not being adventurous enough at Old Trafford

This is a brilliant story really, hope they don't fall apart around the 70th minute and concede 5.

One thing's for sure, they're better than Greece

Jesus Christ, the People's Rooney ripping Lucio a new one. I've got a bad feeling I'm going to be even more pissed off that he didn't choose South Korea after this tournament is done.

tbh North Korea lasting 45 minutes against Brazil would be more entertaining than Brazil putting in 5 in the first half

Go get that bandaged man, being a tough guy is fine but don't be stupid about it.

I hope they get a kicking, simply due to their defensive tactics. Fucking hell man, North Korea are at the level where they have to play defensive against well... South Korea. You expect them to play open, attacking football against Brazil?

Wow, they're actually looking quite good at the moment. They didn't have that kind of energy on the counter-attack during the qualifiers.