North Korea Has Banned Tottenham Matches from Being Broadcast

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has reportedly banned the broadcast of Tottenham Hotspur matches in the country, according to the UK Sun. This surprising decision stems from Kim Jong-Un’s firm stance against airing games that feature South Korean players, reflecting the longstanding tension between the two countries.

This restriction implies that Kim Jong-Un will miss out on the opportunity to watch his favorite club, Manchester United, face off against Tottenham in an eagerly anticipated Premier League clash scheduled for Sunday evening. The matchup holds significant excitement for fans worldwide, but in North Korea, it remains off-limits due to the government’s strict regulations regarding foreign media.

In North Korea, the rule is clear: any football match that includes South Korean players is strictly prohibited from being broadcasted. As a result, Tottenham Hotspur, which is currently captained by Son Heung-min—one of the prominent South Korean footballers—is never shown on North Korea’s version of the popular program, Match of the Day. This policy extends not only to Tottenham but also to other clubs featuring South Korean athletes, limiting the viewing options for local sports fans.

Last year, the blackout also affected Wolverhampton Wanderers’ matches, which were excluded from broadcasts due to the presence of South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan. Similarly, Brentford, home to defender Kim Ji-soo, experienced a similar situation where matches were not aired due to the government’s stringent regulations.

Premier League coverage in North Korea is heavily controlled, restricting citizens’ access to international sports entertainment. The match durations are notably reduced from the standard 90 minutes to just 60, which alters the experience for viewers significantly. Furthermore, the games are aired only after official news bulletins and can take as long as four months to be shown, resulting in delays that prevent fans from staying current with the league. This delayed broadcasting severely diminishes the excitement of following live sports and highlights the extent of control exercised by the North Korean regime over media and entertainment consumed by its population.