This decision was disclosed by a joint press statement announced Sunday after the end of three-day inter-Korean working-level negotiations at Mount Geumgang, which was served as a preliminary session for the seventh inter-Korean minister-level talks, reported the South Korean national news agency Yonhap News.

Regarding the DPRK's decision, the South Korea will provide full support for the former's team during the Asian Games, the South Korean chief negotiator Rhee Bong-jo was quoted by the report.

And the DPRK is expected to send a 300-odd-member or larger delegation to the Asian Games, according to the report.

Right after the joint statement was announced, the organizing committee of the Busan Asian Games launched a comprehensive review of security, transportation, accommodation and other operational issues relative to the DPRK team, said the Yonhap.

Besides, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) will bear the entire expenses of the DPRK delegation.

( August 5, 2002)