Incheon: The North Korean women's football team departed for China on Sunday, heading towards Pyongyang after securing victory in Asia's top tournament held in South Korea. The team maintained a reserved demeanor, reflecting the tense state of inter-Korean relations. According to Yonhap News Agency, Naegohyang Women's FC arrived at Incheon International Airport at approximately 1:50 p.m. to catch an Air China flight to Beijing before continuing their journey to Pyongyang. Led by head coach Ri Yu-il, the team moved in an orderly fashion towards the check-in counters, maintaining focus despite the cheers of pro-North Korea activists who congratulated them and expressed hopes for a future meeting. Comprising 27 players and 12 staff members, the team traveled to South Korea via China, marking the first visit by North Korean athletes to the South in eight years and the inaugural visit of a North Korean women's football team to South Korean territory. The North Korean women's team achieved a 1-0 victory over Toky o Verdy Beleza in the final match of the Asian Football Confederation Women's Champions League, held at Suwon Stadium, located 30 kilometers south of Seoul, on Saturday. The championship's US$1 million prize will not be directly transferred to North Korea due to international sanctions related to its nuclear and missile activities, which are in breach of U.N. Security Council resolutions. FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation will retain the funds and permit North Korea to utilize them for expenses in future international competitions.