An Yong Hak, a Japanese-born North Korean, will be supporting his former team, North Korea when they play against Japan in a World Cup qualifier in Tokyo. He is among the 300,000 ethnic Koreans in Japan who have faced discrimination in various aspects of life. I attended a pro-Pyongyang school in Japan and played for North Korea in the 2010 World Cup.

For ethnic Koreans in Japan, this match holds significance as it allows them to assert their identity. A reminisces about past games against Japan and hopes for a similar sense of camaraderie despite the outcome. Most ethnic Koreans in Japan are descendants of those taken during Japan's colonization of Korea, and some, like An, are educated at pro-North Korean schools.

Despite being raised in Japan, An felt a natural connection to North Korea. He recalls his trips to Pyongyang as a child and how he considered the North Korean team as his own. An's international teammates initially had reservations, but they eventually formed a close bond.

An, who was part of North Korea's 2010 World Cup team, now aims to groom the next generation of North Korean footballers. He runs football schools in Tokyo and Yokohama and wants to inspire others, showing that being ethnic Korean shouldn't be seen negatively.

An's journey, including being the first active North Korean player in South Korea's K League, serves as a trailblazing example for ethnic Koreans in Japan. He emphasizes the importance of pride and positivity in one's identity, hoping to instil confidence in future generations.