SEOUL —
The South Korean government says it is willing to consider forming a joint team with North Korea for the coming Asian Games.
An official with Seoul’s Unification Ministry Tuesday said the idea would be decided on if the host city of Incheon makes an official request.
Incheon has been pushing to form a joint South-North Korean team in some of the 36 competitions during the sports gala.
The official also did not rule out the possibility of a joint entrance by both Koreas or the use of a unified flag.
North Korea announced just last month that it would send a team to the Games, but, it is not clear if Pyongyang would agree to forming a joint team.
The move is a shift from Seoul's earlier position that it would be impossible to form a unified team with Pyongyang in light of the current tensions on the peninsula.
Most analysts have also said there is not enough time remaining to sort out all the details before the games begin on September 19.
The two Koreas have been separated since an armistice ended fighting in the Korean war more than 60 years ago.
This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Korean service
An official with Seoul’s Unification Ministry Tuesday said the idea would be decided on if the host city of Incheon makes an official request.
Incheon has been pushing to form a joint South-North Korean team in some of the 36 competitions during the sports gala.
The official also did not rule out the possibility of a joint entrance by both Koreas or the use of a unified flag.
North Korea announced just last month that it would send a team to the Games, but, it is not clear if Pyongyang would agree to forming a joint team.
The move is a shift from Seoul's earlier position that it would be impossible to form a unified team with Pyongyang in light of the current tensions on the peninsula.
Most analysts have also said there is not enough time remaining to sort out all the details before the games begin on September 19.
The two Koreas have been separated since an armistice ended fighting in the Korean war more than 60 years ago.
This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Korean service