OSAKA -- North Korea will take part in next spring's East Asian Games in Osaka, an official of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun) said Tuesday, even though the country has not formalized its plans.
Kum Young Jin, vice president of Chongryun's sports federation, said North Korea would take part "without question" in the regional multi-sport event in May.
He added that he hoped to see the creation of a joint cheerleading squad for athletes from both North Korea and South Korea.
"We must cheer not only for the North, but the South as well.
It will probably be like the Sydney Olympics where we waved a unification flag," said Kum, who was representing the North Korean Olympic Committee at the meeting.
Representatives of 10 national Olympic committees planning to take part in the games attended Tuesday's meeting. Kazakstan, which had been given permission in October to take part in the games, was absent.