DPRK will send 315 athletes to the 2002 Busan Asian Games through South-North direct air route, and there will be torch combine ceremony at Panmunjom.
The South Korean delegates, who returned on August 19 after working-level talks for 2 nights and 3 days, said that DPRK decided to send 315 athletes in 16 events including Judo, shooting, gymnastics, and football in the Busan Asian Games, and they would send the entry to the organizing committee by the 30th.
The DPRK delegation decreased by two athletes than the Bangkok Games in 1995, but if we include cheering party and performers, 600 people is planning to participate. The travel route of the DPRK delegation is to use direct flight from Pyongyang to the Inchon Airport or the Kimpo Airport, and then use charter buses to go Busan.
The South Korean delegation explained that they agreed that the torch, which was lighted at Baekdu Mountain on September 5th, would be transferred from the Samjiyon Airport to the Kimpo Airport, moved to Panmunjom, and would be combined with the torch, which was lighted at Halla Mountain on the 7th.
However, there were different opinions about entering the stadium together during the opening and closing ceremonies, so they decided to have one more working-level talk.
Meanwhile, at the South and North Friendly Football Match working-level talks, which ended at the same day, they confirmed the name of the game, which will be held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on September 7th, to be the ��2002 South North Reunification Football Match.��
DPRK is planning to send 20 athletes, 5 coaches, and 17 reporters and supporting staff members through the direct flight between September 5th and 8th. The both party decided that instead of national flags and national anthems, the Korean Peninsular Banner would be hoisted and Arirang would be sung, and they agreed that the South would supply referees and they would collaborate on cheering.