North Korea to send 100 athletes to Asian Games in Japan

North Korea will send approximately 100 athletes to compete in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, according to Ko Chol-ho, secretary general of the North Korean National Olympic Committee. The delegation is scheduled to participate in 14 sporting disciplines, including men’s and women’s football, weightlifting, boxing, and wrestling.

The games will be held in the Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4. While the North Korean delegation is smaller than the 185 athletes sent to the 2023 Hangzhou Games, officials stated they aim to achieve even greater medal results to “bring joy to Marshal Kim Jong Un.”

The delegation will include two athletes from the Korean community residing in Japan: footballer Ri Song-a and karateka Jong Se-ri. This participation follows North Korea's return to major international sporting events after suspending activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.