brother alongside brother?? lets not get confused here. these are two separate nations NOT playing on the same team. how can this get construed into two teams playing "alongside" each other??? Im sure the "feel good" story makes for a great headline on south korean newspapers (and apparently on cnn.com), but the fact remains that north koreans still see the south as "puppets of american imperialism" and they are going to do everything in their power to destroy their "brothers" on the playing field come 2010. i wish i could cut and paste you a quote but suprisingly enough no members of the nk team have been available for comment. wierd...
this will simply just be another opportuntiy at creating more propoganda to build up morale in the impoverished nation. its laughable that people buy into this brother alongside brother stuff.

Congratulations to both Koreas!!! I'm very impressed that N. Korean national team makes it to the World Cup next year.

Another Great FOOTBALLING Moment.

interesting..comments that criticize the article are apparently deemed unworthy to be posted. nice work cnn

That's pretty cool. A lot of people tend to forget that even though N.K. may be a rogue state with a crazed leader, the citizens are just like you and I and all they want are basic human rights. Anyways, congrats to both Koreas!

Congratulation to the koreas brother for making it to the finals in south africa 2010 and i pray that my country Nigeria will also join the koreas brother to the finals.

I would like to point out the reason for that brother thing is because IF you read it... it says North Korea is the home of brothers, mother, sisters, fathers, daughters, sons, etc. The brother thing reiterates that FACT... so please read before you think you go on blabbing and THINKING you know what your talking about.

If you disagree about this email me rboneillo@yahoo.com

what? andrew what are u talking about? THEY DONT KNOW WHAT BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS ARE!...the ONLY thing they know is kim...and kim only, their fearless leader who only gives them 1950s technology if that, im sorry man but they dont even know what the hell civil rights are...theres no such thing in their isolation.

Chris,

Your posts are here. They make you look like a xenophobe; but I got to read them. Have you ever been to Korea? I have. The people in the South do love thier families in the North, and they do hope for a united, free Korea someday. You might consider it fodder; but for South Koreans it is a ray of hope that a lost brother might not be lost forever. Make no mistake; if North Korea so much as takes one step to the South they, and we (USA) will act to defend thier freedom; but what they really want his for a lost family to be reunited. You, on the other hand, seem to have no idea what you are talking about.

Chris,

Just because the North's government is anti-US, you would be surprised how many in the North want reunionification to be with their southern neighbors (and don't really hate the US).

In a way the situation is a lot like when Germany was divided. This is a good story, and worthy of a chance in promoting reconciliation and goodwill between the two.

Chris, why would you write something so ignorant? You do notice that the only reason they are divided is because of government and dictatorship that we as a country could not overcome, let alone them as a people! It is great that the people( even though in a hostile situation politicaly and morally) can set aside the "small" difference in life of political standings and realize that "life means nothing if without Hope". As for the “puppets of american imperialism” comment, I see what your trying to say but are you a Korean living in the North? If not, you have no say so just like everyone else has no say so about how you feel. Opinions mean nothing "homie"! So shush! Good article CNN!

The larger story is this.... why is it that countires with mediocre football teams, such as North Korea, Australia and New Zealand (!??!) have qualified for the World Cup, whereas the top teams like Brazil, Spain, England, Germany and Argentina are still fighting to get in??? The Asia-Pacific region gets too many slots at the tournament. Let's face it – the best soccer is played in Europe and South America. Those regions should be given more opportunities to make the WC Finals and the Asia Pacific teams, which are generally ranked far lower by FIFA, should have less representation.

The North Koreans are humans also

I am proud to hear of the two brothers going hand in hand to the world cup. May the good lord direct them to meet in the cup finals. Will the world cup bring them to unification for the sake of the Asia Pacific Region. I am a Papua New Guinean. I am scared to die from a stray missile.

Congartulaltions brothers in Christ the Lord.

Hey chris~
Have you said these words, "our country, our mom and our world"
South korea and north korean are the only country that they always say together " I love our country , our mom and our world."
They think all human races are the same and are brothers and family

FIFA: Every FIFA member (con)federation is free to choose their own qualification procedure, subject to FIFA's international play dates. South America and Europe freely chose to have theirs finish later in 2009 than Asia. They're not racing each other, so it doesn't matter.

In Europe, Netherlands have already qualified, too. England haven't yet, even after winning 7 out of 7, because it's not your total points that clinch early, but the size of the gap between you and 2nd place - and their gap over joint-2nd Croatia & Ukraine is only 10 points with 4 matches to play. If England maintain it at 10 points with 3 to go, they're in.

Germany has not qualified yet because their gap is only 1 point over Russia with 4 matches to go. Heck, *both* of them could still be eliminated!

South America's format is the most elegant: a 10-team league, no preliminary rounds needed. They're also the only confed on the planet that can do this. So theirs takes the longest to finish. No big deal.

i think both nk & sk deserve the result that they go to world cup 2010.
though north korea has bad sides against world peace now, football is a play for people who enjoy it. in short, politic problems do not appear in football. only enjoy ~! we are bound to go for Rsa 2010