When there's too much political pressure, they tend to ban one of the two parties. South and North Korea playing each other during the World Cup in a peak moment of political tension between the two nations does seem a little unwise anyway.
Sure, it got a little out of hand with all the boycotting and all. But the USSR bball team beating USA and the USA hockey team beating the USSR wouldn't be nearly as momentous if not for the political spiciness added to the mix.
Momma mia. Ha cha cha cha...
