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By John Sudworth
BBC News, Seoul |
 Impoverished North Korea maintains an international football team
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The national football teams of North and South Korea have played a World Cup qualifier in Seoul - which the South won by one goal to nil.
The game took place at a time of increasing political tension between the two neighbours.
North Korea is planning to launch a rocket in the next few days, in what it says is an attempt to put a communications satellite into orbit.
But the South and its allies suggest it plans to test a long-range missile.
Neutral ground?
The two teams have played each other a number of times over the past year during the qualification stages for the 2010 World Cup.
It is fair to say that the worsening diplomatic relations between the two countries are being translated into the sporting arena.
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North Korea's home matches have had to be played on neutral ground in Shanghai, because the North refused to allow the playing of the South's national anthem or the waving of its flags.
Relations between the two governments have deteriorated since a new conservative administration took office in Seoul last year.
This latest derby clash takes place against a backdrop of even higher political tension.
North Korea is planning to launch a rocket as early as Saturday.
But the South, the US and Japan are threatening action to forge agreement on new UN sanctions in response.
Sport and politics often collide but rarely perhaps like an inter-Korean football match.
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