North Korea lists athletes for Asian Games

North Korea has submitted a list of athletes for the upcoming Asian Games in the South, organisers in Seoul said Thursday, despite stalled negotiations on its participation in the event.  

The list submitted Wednesday named 150 athletes to compete in 14 sports including football, swimming, boxing and judo, said a spokesman for the Asiad preparatory committee.
It also listed a separate group of 202 coaches, referees and administrative staff, he said.
Pyongyang has also suggested sending 350 cheerleaders to the Games to be held in the port city of Incheon from September 19 to October 4.
But cross-border talks held last month to coordinate logistics fell apart after Pyongyang walked out, accusing the South of arrogance and insincerity.
Seoul reportedly proposed to break from its past custom of financially supporting visiting sporting delegations from the North, to move into line with international sporting standards.
The North bristled at the change and threatened to boycott the event.
No talks have been held or proposed by either side since then.
The Asiad organisers said they would push through the paperwork even without confirmation of the North's attendance.
"We will watch how the governmental talks turn out but, in the meantime, will do what we have to do," the spokesman said.
An official from the North is scheduled to travel to Incheon for the August 21 draw for events like football.
Cross-border tensions have been high of late, with North Korea conducting an extended series of rocket and missile launches.
Source: AFP