N.K. Reiterates Its Threat to Withdraw from Daegu Universiade

The North Korean delegation to the Daegu Universiade announced that anti-Pyongyang protests resumed and they would not be able to continue to take part in the Universiade any longer unless South Korean authorities apologize for the rally and punish the protesters.

Jon Guk-man, the chief North Korean delegate, said in a press conference held on the fifth floor of the Daegu Universiade Media Center (UMC) Tuesday that conservative groups resumed rallies and forced into their hotel rooms. “We repeat our position that we will not be able to participate in the Daegu Universiade any longer unless South Korean authorities apologize for the anti-Pyongyang rally, punish the protesters and take measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents,” he claimed.

After South Korea`s right-wingers insulted the North and called down the leadership on Aug. 24, there was an incident on Aug. 26 that they offended North Korean marathon runners who were training around the Daegu World Cup stadium, Jon said. South Korean police officers took no notice of this but tried to control it when North Korea protested, he added.

“Rebellious elements raided into the rooms of North Korean rooters, rummaged personal belongings, and put some impure pieces of writing and Korean flower cards into the trunks and beds,” Jon said. “Female rooters are so shocked that they cannot even take a rest or go out to root,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ji Kyoung-sun, a North Korean Judo athlete, played in the contest held at a college in Daegu, as scheduled.

The North Korean delegate, however, unexpectedly cancelled its rooting schedule for a women’s soccer game against Mexico and a men`s volleyball game against the U.S.

“There are somewhat unrealistic points in the claims of the North. I think they cannot withdraw at this point of time,” said Park Sang-ha, chief of the Daegu Universiade Organizing Committee (DUOC), in response.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com