Gyeongseong FC–Pyongyang FC rivalry

The Gyeongseong FC–Pyongyang FC rivalry was a football rivalry in the early 20th century between Seoul and Pyongyang which are two big cities in Korea. The term Gyeongseong used instead of Seoul during the period of Japanese rule.

History

Seoul has been the capital of Korea from the Joseon Dynasty and Pyongyang has been the second city in Korea. There also was discrimination against to the people in Pyongan province where Pyongyang city placed. Those historical backgrounds made two cities as a rival.

Many football clubs and school teams were made in 1910s in Korea along the football booming, and many football cups like All Korea Football Tournament (FA Cup now) was held in 1920th. In these tounaments, clubs based on Seoul like Bulgyo Cheongnyeonhoe (불교청년회, Young Men's Buddhist Association), Geongang Gurakbu (건강구락부, Sports Club) and Joseon Football Club (조선축구단) had match against the club in Pyongyang like Muo Football Club (무오축구단).

The official Seoul-Pyongyang annual football match was held in 1929 at first by The Chosun Ilbo in Seoul participated by the united teams in each city. It was very popular that most of the shops closed at the match day. The title match, however, was often stopped because of the riot between excited fans, and at last the annual match was all folded after 1930. In 1933, Pyongyang FC was founded in Pyongyang and Gyeongseong FC was also founded in Seoul which was named for Seoul's old name, Gyeongseong, and the annual match was reopened. It was continued until 1935, but after 1936, it was substituted by other cup matches which many clubs from other cities joined. Despite of the end of the title match, two clubs had met each other in many tournaments and leagues until the division of Korea, north and south.

See also

• Gyeongseong FC
• Pyongyang FC
• All Korea Football Tournament
• Korean FA Cup

References

• 大韓蹴球協會 편 『韓國蹴球百年史』라사라, 1986.
• 윤경헌, 최창신『축구 = 1 : 國技축구 그 찬란한 아침 』국민체육진흥공단, 1997.