SEOUL:

North Korea is basking in its dominance of women's youth football after a third World Cup win in just over a year, sporting success that is being used to justify the secretive state's political system.

A 3-0 win against the Netherlands in Morocco on Saturday saw the North Koreans lift a second successive Women's U-17 World Cup, and fourth in all, following their victory 12 months ago.

The back-to-back U-17 triumphs came after North Korea, which is largely closed off to the outside world, also won the Women's World Cup at under-20 level in September 2024.

The North Koreans swept all before them in Morocco, scoring a tournament record 25 goals and conceding just three as they won all seven of their matches.

The triumph saw North Korea's propaganda machine swing into action on Mon

See Full Page