DPRK to send cheering squad to Asian Games

PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has proposed to hold working-level talks with Seoul over the former's participation in the upcoming Asian Games in the Republic of Korea (ROK), the official KCNA news agency reported Thursday.

The talks can be held on either the northern or the southern side of Panmunjom around July 15, the KCNA said, citing a notice sent by the DPRK Olympic Committee to the organizing committee of the 17th Asian Games.

The notice reaffirmed the DPRK's decision to send a delegation and a large cheering squad to the sports meet, to be held in the ROK city of Incheon from mid-September through early October.

The DPRK side said its participation is aimed at improving inter-Korean relations and creating a positive atmosphere for national unity as clarified in the government statement it issued Monday, in which it called for ending north-south confrontation.

The statement, issued one day before the 20th anniversary of the death of former top leader Kim Il Sung, clarified Pyongyang's principles and stances on easing tensions on the peninsula and achieving "independent reunification" of the nation.