North Korea Plans to Attend the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, According to Reports
The Asian Games, a multisport event, is set to return to Japan in 2026. The games will be held in Aichi Prefecture, with Nagoya serving as the main host, marking the 20th edition of the event.
In a significant development, North Korea has expressed its intent to participate in the games. According to reports, the North Korean delegation is expected to include about 150 athletes in 17 sports.
Remarkably, this will not be the first time North Korea and South Korea have participated together in the Asian Games. At the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, the two nations marched under one flag at the opening ceremony and competed as a unified team in basketball, canoeing, and rowing. However, five years later in China, they marched and competed separately.
Japan has made exceptions in sports before, allowing North Korean men's and women's football teams to visit the country in 2021 for the qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Japanese government is currently considering whether to open its doors to North Korea for the Asian Games.
The Asiad organizing committee is set to meet with leaders of each national delegation next week. Notably, North Korea plans to send one of its nationals residing in Japan to the meeting, according to Kyodo News. However, the name of the individual has not been disclosed as of yet.
The Asian Games are scheduled to run from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The games in Japan are expected to be a significant sporting event, bringing together athletes from across Asia.
As preparations continue, the Asian Games in Japan promise to be an exciting event, with the participation of North Korea adding an extra layer of interest. The games will undoubtedly showcase the power of sport in fostering unity and promoting peace.
