Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 19, 2003
DPRK Expresses Willingness to Participate in Universiade
The DPRK, reversing itself, has expressed willingness to take part in this week's university games in South Korea, a South Korean government source said Tuesday.
The DPRK, reversing itself, has expressed willingness to take part in this week's university games in South Korea, a South Korean government source said Tuesday.
The DPRK intention was conveyed to South Korea when liaison officials of the two sides met at the border village of Panmunjom, said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The shift in the DPRK attitude came hours after South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun expressed regret over violent anti-Pyongyang protests in Seoul last week that led the DPRK to boycott the games scheduled to open in the southeastern provincial city of Daegu on Thursday.
"At the Panmunjom contact, our side conveyed the expression of regret by President Roh Moo-hyun and Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun," said the source.
"After contact with its higher command, the North side said that all pending issues now have been resolved," said the official.
DPRKa has promised to send a 197-member delegation plus 303-member cheering squad to the biennial games for world university students.
The DPRK is one of 171 countries that have promised to take part in the Universiade.