North Korea, South Korea to unify in 3 sports at Asian Games

Jakarta, July 18: Athletes from the North Korea and South Korea will jointly compete in three sports during the upcoming Asian Games in Indonesia later this year, the Olympic Council of Asia confirmed on Wednesday.

The Asian Games’ participants from the two countries will field a unified Korea team in six events, the council noted, reports Xinhua news agency.

“(This) is the first time in history, further demonstrating the power of sport to unite,” the OCA said in a statement.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has officially invited both North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in to the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta in August.

The latest OCA data outlines that a total of 11,300 athletes from 45 member Olympic committees are set to take part in the Games, to be held from August 18 to September 2.

The athletes will compete in 465 events across 40 sports and 67 disciplines.

The Games will chiefly take place in the capital Jakarta and the city of Palembang in South Sumatra province, with other cities in West Java providing a supporting role. (IANS)