Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps Women's Soccer Team wins first gold medal at World Military Championships

-The Korea Armed Forces Women's Soccer Team won the first-ever World Military Women's Football Championship hosted by the International Military Sports Council (CISM)
-Won 1-0 against a French team in the final, achieving the best result in 16 years since its inception in 2007

The Korea Armed Forces Women's Soccer Team, also known as "Sangmu," claimed the gold medal in the final of the 14th Women's World Military Football Championship, held in Spakenburg, the Netherlands, on July 7. They achieved a 1-0 victory over a strong French team, marking the first time the Korea Armed Forces Women's Soccer Team has won a FIFA-sanctioned tournament since its inception.

The World Military Women's Football Championship is a prestigious tournament organized by the International Military Sports Council (CISM) and sanctioned by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). It features women's military teams from 11 countries, including the host Netherlands, and football powerhouses such as France, the United States, and Germany. All matches were played in accordance with FIFA rules.

The Korean team was placed into Group B, one of the three groups. They suffered a 1-2 defeat to the French team in the group stage but managed to defeat Canada and Tanzania 7-0 and 2-0, respectively, to reach the semifinals. In the semifinals, the team triumphed 4-1 against Cameroon, the top-ranked team in Group C, showcasing their explosive offense and securing a spot in the final.

In the final match against the French team, the Korean team took the lead early on, utilizing the experience they had gained from the defeat in the group stage. Within the first five minutes of the match, Ssg. Lee Jung-min calmly finished a ball assisted by Ssg. Park Ye-na, putting the Korean team ahead.

In the following match, the Korean military team blocked the French team's primary offensive routes. They maintained their lead with an unyielding spirit, ultimately claiming the victory.

This victory represents the best result in 16 years since the inception of the Korea Armed Forces Women's Soccer Team in 2007. The gold medal came after ten attempts to compete in women's soccer tournaments hosted by the CISM since 2008.

Colonel Lee Chang-seop, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Athletic Corps, who served as the team's general manager, said, "We finally lifted the trophy after dealing with the regret of only securing runner-up positions in the World Military Women's Football Championship three times." He added, "This was achieved due to the strong military spirit of 'we won't lose, even if it means dying,' which unified all the players."

Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup sent a congratulatory letter to the Korea Armed Forces Women's Soccer Team, stating, "I am incredibly proud of the players who ascended to the top of the world for the first time in 16 years, demonstrating Korea's potential to the world." He congratulated the team on their thrilling victory.

Today, the team is scheduled to return home via Incheon Airport at 16:00, and will continue to compete in the 2023 WK League, a domestic business team competition.