The unification ministry said Monday it spent 235 million won ($158,800) in government funds to support civic groups that cheered at matches featuring a North Korean women's football team in May and the ministry's preparations for the events. The ministry disclosed the figure in a briefing to the National Assembly and shared it with domestic media. The government drew on the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund, citing the event's role in fostering mutual understanding between the two Koreas. Of some 320 million won approved for the events, the ministry spent 235 million won, including 149 million won in support for civic groups' cheering. Pyongyang-based Naegohyang Women's FC faced Suwon FC Women in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League, held in Suwon, some 30 kilometers south of Seoul, on May 20. It marked the first visit by a North Korean sports team to South Korea in more than seven years. After beating its South Korean rival 2-1, Naegohyang went on to win the tournament, defeating Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in the May 23 final. Of the 319 milli