Ri Hyang Sim scored the decisive winner within seconds of the additional period beginning, easily slotting home from Sung Hyang Sim’s tee-up after her run into the penalty box went unchecked.

The North Koreans seemed set for victory in normal time after a penalty was converted by Jon So Yun early in the second half, only for Natalie Jacobs to equalise in the final minute.

It did not matter in the end though with Ri’s goal proving enough to set up a final against France, who beat Japan 2-1 after extra-time in the day’s second semi-final at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

Arguably the best chance of the first-half fell to North Korea as Wi Jong Sim manufactured a yard of space on the edge of the penalty area before firing her low shot narrowly wide.

Five minutes after the break, US midfielder Katie Cousins was penalised for handball after sliding in for a tackle in the penalty area and Jon comfortably converted the resulting spot-kick.

Despite having registered just one shot on target approaching the final minute of the match, the US refused to lie down and were rewarded when first-time starter Jacobs directed a volley over the head of goalkeeper Kim Myong Sun after pouncing on Mallory Pugh’s blocked attempt from close range.

Kim Phyong Hwa had a gilt-edged chance to win the match in the dying moments of regulation time, only to direct a free header at the back post over the bar.

Her blushes were saved shortly after the restart as Ri’s cool finish put North Korea back into a lead that they managed to hold on to.

France, meanwhile, are into their first FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup final after victory ended the hopes of in-form Japan.

All the action was packed into the 30 additional minutes with France hitting a quickfire double against the run of play, before some heroic defending ensured Japan’s comeback was limited to one goal.

Nine minutes into the additional period, Marion Romanelli weighted a perfect cross for Clara Mateo who rose between two defenders to head home.

Moments later, midfielder Juliane Gathrat lashed home a loose ball after Louise Fleury’s run caused havoc in the Japan penalty area.

Gathrat then turned villain, bundling over an opponent to concede a spot-kick that was scored by Yuka Momiki.

France goalkeeper Mylene Chavas initially stopped the penalty but pushed the ball over the line as she attempted to reach back and claim it off the goalline.

Her team-mates managed to see out the remaining 11 minutes, however, to book a place in the final at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday (December 3).

 The US and Japan will meet in the third-place play-off in the same venue earlier that same day.