ROK Faces Dilemma over Presence of NK Flag

The government held a meeting of related ministries presided over by Kim Hyung-gi, Deputy Unification Minister on the 12th to discuss the permissible range of raising the North Korean national flag and playing its anthem, but failed to reach a conclusion.

The participants in the meeting judged that banning the use of the North Korean flag and anthem is impossible since North Korea will participate in the Busan Asian Games as an official member of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Accordingly, the government is reported to decide to allow the North Korean flag to be hoisted in front of the athletes` camp and in awarding ceremonies, and the North Korean anthem to be played also in awarding ceremonies.

The problem is whether to allow North Korean supporters to use their national flag while cheering for their players and around sports venues. The government decided to consider ways to minimize the violation of the National Security Law by allowing limited use of the North Korean flag within given areas.

Dong-Ki Sung esprit@donga.com