Kim Jong-un has banned the broadcasting of Tottenham Hotspur matches in North Korea due to the presence of South Korean captain Son Heung-min, according to reports.
The regime prohibits the airing of any Premier League games featuring players from South Korea, effectively blocking citizens from watching the north London club’s performances.
The ban means North Korean viewers, who typically watch Premier League matches before their 5pm news bulletin, are unable to see the 32-year-old Son and his teammates in action.
The restrictions also affect other Premier League sides with South Korean players in their ranks, The Sun reports.
Kim Jong-un has banned three Premier League clubs from being shown in North Korea due to the presence of South Korean players
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Wolverhampton Wanderers matches are blocked from broadcast due to forward Hwang Hee-chan.
Brentford games are similarly banned because of South Korean defender Kim Ji-soo.
The findings were revealed in a report by the US think tank Stimson Center, which investigated North Korea’s broadcasting practices.
Kim Jong-un has banned the broadcasting of Tottenham Hotspur matches in North Korea due to the presence of South Korean captain Son Heung-min
PA
Premier League coverage in North Korea comes with notable restrictions, with matches shortened from 90 minutes to just 60 minutes.
Games are broadcast approximately four months after their original play date, appearing before regular news bulletins.
The delayed and condensed format is part of the state’s controlled broadcasting system, though football remains a significant part of North Korean television programming.
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According to the Stimson Center’s analysis, sports programming represents a rare break from propaganda on North Korean state television.
“We thought it was interesting,” said the Center’s Martyn Williams. “We just saw a lot of football on KCTV. It’s the main international sport they broadcast.”
The report found that sport is “one of the few moments each day when state TV is not trying to send an overt or underlying message to its viewers.”
English football has attracted support from various dictators throughout history.
The late Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro was known to support Arsenal.
Former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe, who died in 2019, was a Chelsea supporter.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers matches are blocked from broadcast in North Korea due to forward Hwang Hee-chan
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Kim is believed to be a Manchester United fan.
Ironically, they’re set to face Tottenham on Sunday – meaning the North Korean dictator may not be tuning in.