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       How a North Korean Soccer Prodigy Vanished, and Re-emerged

       Han Kwang-song’s recent appearances in World Cup qualifiers were his first ones overseas since 2020, when U.N. sanctions led to an involuntary career break.

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       Han Kwang-song of North Korea, center, playing in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Yangon, Myanmar, this week. Credit...Nyein Chan Naing/EPA, via Shutterstock

       By Mike Ives and John Yoon

       Reporting from Seoul

       Nov. 23, 2023

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       When the North Korean men’s soccer team took the field for two 2026 World Cup qualifying matches this month, close observers noticed an important roster change.

       Han Kwang-song, a high-profile striker, was back, more than three years after vanishing from public view for reasons beyond his control: United Nations-imposed sanctions on North Korean nationals over Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

       Mr. Han’s story is a rare case of North Korea sanctions reverberating through professional soccer. It also shows how enforcement of U.N. sanctions against individuals varies by country.

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       Mike Ives is a reporter for The Times based in Seoul, covering breaking news around the world. More about Mike Ives

       John Yoon reports from the Seoul newsroom of The Times. He previously reported for the coronavirus tracking team, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2021. He joined The Times in 2020. More about John Yoon

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