North Indicated Boycott of Daegu Universiade

North Korea strongly suggested Monday that it might boycott the Daegu Summer Universiade.

The North`s Committee for the Reunification of the Fatherland said in a statement, “Obviously our athletes (for the Universiade) cannot go to a dangerous area (South Korea) where basic security is not guaranteed.” It angrily protested anti-Pyongyang street demonstrations in Seoul last week during which protesters burned a North Korean flag and an image of communist leader Kim Jong-il.

The committee demanded a South Korean apology "in whatever format."

The Seoul government said Pyongyang`s demand for an apology for Friday`s protest is unacceptable, expressing frustration at the North`s abrupt move. “We are trying to find out North Korea`s exact intent,¡° National Security Advisor Ra Jong-yil said, adding misunderstanding of the multifarious nature of South Korea`s society likely resulted in the North`s harsh reaction. Meanwhile, Lee Chang-dong, Minister of Culture and Tourism in charge of organizing the international sporting event, said, “I understand that their decision is not final. We should try to persuade them to attend the games.”

The Unification Ministry sent a telephone message urging North Korea to reconsider it boycott decision saying, “"We are concerned that your delay in participating in the games could cause undesirable consequences in boosting national reconciliation and development of inter-Korean relations.”

One major casualty of the dispute was failure by the two Koreas to implement four accords that they had signed earlier to promote economic exchanges and investment. The two sides had planned to exchange countersigned documents of the accords Monday.

Seung-Ryun Kim srkim@donga.com