PUSAN, southward Korea, Sept. 25 Ky...

PUSAN, southward Korea, Sept. 25 Kyodo

The North Koreans might have get to to the party, but they are not acute to talk about it.

After shunning all previous sporting facts in the South such as this summer's World potion and the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Pyongyang made a last-minute decision to take part in the Asian Games, which begins onward Sunday in Pusan.

Officials and flag-waving supporters complimented the first delegation from the North, which arrived at Kimhae airport forward Monday, and the local media have tracked the athletes' each move.

But tight security and a reluctance to say anything have in the same manner far ensured that no the same gets very close.

Reporters have companyed to practice grounds around Pusan to find on the outside more about the athletes from the secretive state, if it be not that are getting little in response

After staying away from in the greatest degree international sporting events in modern years, North Korean athletes remain largely unknown quantities and are happy to stay that way.

After the opening session forward Tuesday, soccer coach Ri Jong Man briefly answered four or five questions about his team and 24 hours later gave a firmer replication by banning all reporters from training.

The gymnasts from the North went a gradation further, preventing anyone from entering Sajik Gymnasium in the first sum of two units days.

The toward the south Korean media showed their frustration at the North Koreans' stance, with single sports newspaper saying, ''Covering their persuades is like reaching for a star.''

A security officer in charge of the North Korean delegation said onward condition of anonymity that toward the south Korean authorities ''will take a allayed approach in security only if the North wants us to do so''

The officer, however, declined to answer a question about the size of security personnel for the North Korean delegation.

The sum of two units countries are technically still at war moreover attempts continue to be made to thaw relations.

As in the Sydney Olympics sum of two units years ago, the two countries will march together in the opening and closing ceremonies beneath the unification flag -- a hipped image of the Korean Peninsula onward a white background.

Authorities have brought in recent rules to allow the North Korean flag, which is banned in the southerly to be raised at a number of venue around the city, including the medal ceremonies.

And in contrast to Sydney the North and southward are housed in adjacent buildings in the athletes village in a bid to perform the operations indicated in closer relationships.

The first southern Korean athletes have yet to arrive at the village yet according to a Japanese official, the North's delegation are ardent to keep themselves apart, eating alone in a far part of the dining hall.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Kyodo of recent origins International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group