Choe: The Rising Star of North Korean Women's Football
In the world of international women's football, few young talents have ascended as rapidly as Choe. Within a short span of time, she has transitioned from a promising youth prospect to a dominant force on the global stage, leading North Korea to multiple championships and earning the highest individual accolades in youth football.
Key Facts
- Golden Boot & Golden Ball: Winner of both awards at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
- AFC Recognition: Named the AFC Women's Youth Player of the Year in 2025.
- Championship Pedigree: Helped North Korea secure titles at the AFC U-20 and U-17 Women's Asian Cups.
- Senior Debut: Made her full national team debut during the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup.
Dominance in Youth Championships
Choe's international journey began in earnest in March 2024. At just 17 years old, she was selected for the North Korea under-20 team for the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup. She appeared in all five matches of the tournament, playing a pivotal role in North Korea's championship victory. A standout moment occurred during the semifinals, where she scored the opening goal in a high-stakes match against rivals South Korea.
Her success continued in May 2024 when she joined the squad for the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup in Indonesia. Choe contributed significantly to North Korea's fourth title in this competition, notably scoring five goals in a single match against the host nation, Indonesia.
World Cup Glory and Individual Accolades
September 2024 marked a turning point in Choe's career during the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. She was instrumental in securing North Korea's third world title, scoring a total of six goals. This performance earned her the Golden Boot (the award for the tournament's top goalscorer), including the decisive only goal in the final against Japan. Furthermore, she was recognized as the tournament's best player, receiving the Golden Ball.
Following this triumph, she was selected for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup just one month later. Her consistent excellence was formally recognized on October 16, 2025, when she was named the AFC Women's Youth Player of the Year at the AFC Awards Riyadh 2025.
Transition to the Senior National Team
As Choe matured, she began integrating with the senior squad. In late November 2025, she was included as a substitute for two friendly matches against Russia held in Pyongyang, though she did not see game time in those specific fixtures.
Her official senior international debut arrived in February 2026 during the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Choe featured in the second group stage match against Bangladesh. She immediately impacted the game by providing an assist for Kim Kyong-yong's goal, helping North Korea secure a convincing 5–0 victory.
| Year | Competition/Award | Achievement/Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup | Champion; scored in semifinal |
| 2024 | AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup | Champion; 5 goals vs Indonesia |
| 2024 | FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup | Champion; Golden Boot & Golden Ball |
| 2025 | AFC Awards Riyadh | AFC Women's Youth Player of the Year |
| 2026 | AFC Women's Asian Cup | Senior debut; assist vs Bangladesh |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which individual awards did Choe win at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup?
Choe won both the Golden Boot for being the top goalscorer (with six goals) and the Golden Ball for being the tournament's best player.
When did Choe make her debut for the senior North Korean national team?
She made her senior debut in February 2026 during a group stage match against Bangladesh in the AFC Women's Asian Cup.
How many goals did Choe score against Indonesia in the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup?
Choe scored five goals against the hosts, Indonesia, helping North Korea win their fourth title in that competition.
What was Choe's contribution to the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final?
Choe scored the only goal of the match in the final against Japan, securing the world title for North Korea.
When was Choe named the AFC Women's Youth Player of the Year?
She received this honor on October 16, 2025, at the AFC Awards Riyadh 2025.