North Korea and Russia held a women's football friendly match on November 27th at the Kim Il-sung Stadium in Pyongyang, with North Korea winning 5-2. This event follows a 'comprehensive strategic partnership treaty' signed in June 2024, and a '2025 sports exchange protocol' in November 2024, aiming to strengthen cooperation in sports, including training camps and collaboration in sports science and education. Another friendly match is scheduled for November 30th. This cooperation underscores the ongoing relationship between the two nations across various sectors, including sports.

North Korea and Russia held a friendly ice hockey match between U-17 teams. This event follows the 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty' signed in June 2024 and the '2025 Sports Exchange Protocol' in November 2024. The match took place on November 26, 2025, in Pyongyang, with participation from the Russian team at the invitation of the North Korean Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports. The two countries are expanding their cooperation into sports, including plans for training camps and exchanges in various sports like boxing, wrestling, rhythmic gymnastics, figure skating, and ice hockey. This collaboration could potentially expand North Korea's participation in the Winter Olympics.

The 6th World Conference On Doping in Sport (WADA) will be held in Busan, South Korea from December 1st to 5th, 2025. This marks the first time an Asian country hosts the event. The conference will bring together global sports decision-makers to discuss the future of fairness in sports, including revisions to anti-doping regulations, and strategies. The event is seen as a key opportunity for South Korea to strengthen its position in global anti-doping efforts and enhance its influence in international sports governance. Busan is expected to benefit economically, and a 'Busan Declaration' will be announced on December 5th, outlining standards for 2027. The event aims to promote a fair society through doping management.

During the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup round of 16 match, North Korean players were criticized for unsportsmanlike conduct towards Japanese players. Instead of a customary handshake or high-five, North Korean players aggressively clenched their fists and struck the Japanese players' hands during pre-match greetings. This action, captured on live broadcast and widely shared on social media, drew condemnation from media outlets, including claims that the act was violent and far from sportsmanship. The North Korean team subsequently lost the match to Japan in a penalty shootout, further adding to the negative attention. This is not the first instance of questionable behavior by North Korean teams, following a similar incident during the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

North Korea is extensively publicizing the success of its U-17 women's football team in the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, using it to highlight the regime's superiority amid internal hardships. The state media, including Korean Central TV, has been broadcasting the team's performance, homecoming, and the public's celebration to inspire the populace. This follows a pattern of leveraging sports achievements, like the 2025 World Cup victory, to project a positive image and demonstrate resilience, especially given ongoing food and power shortages and international isolation.