Games official offers an apology to North Korea

DAEGU ― Accepting North Korea’s demand for an apology, South Korea expressed regret yesterday over a fight between North Korean journalists and human rights activists here that led to another threat from the North to boycott the games of the 2003 Summer Universiade.
“It is a matter of regret that such an unexpected incident took place in the venue of festival,” Cho Hae-nyoung, the chairman of the organizing committee of the games, said at a press conference yesterday. “We vow to prevent similar incidents from recurring and to step up safety measures to protect North Korean athletes, journalists, officials and cheerleaders.”
A brawl erupted Sunday between the rights activists and North Korean reporters outside the media center of the sports festival. Several North Koreans attacked the activists at a press briefing after being angered by anti-Pyeongyang slogans.
The National Police Agency said yesterday that it would ban political rallies near the sports event to prevent further inter-Korean clashes. “It was an unintentional incident, but we should have reacted promptly,” Kim Ok-jeon, police executive in charge of public safety, said yesterday. “We will do our best to prevent such an incident in the future.”
Jon Guk-man, North Korea’s head of delegation, issued a statement Sunday night, demanding South Korea’s apology. He asked that the government vow to prevent any more incidents. North Korean athletes and cheerleaders had also threatened not to participate in the event unless South Korea takes appropriate actions.
After South Korea expressed the regret, North Koreans continue to attend the sports competitions yesterday as planned.
Last week North Korea warned it would boycott the games, citing anti-North Korean rally held in Seoul on Aug. 15. President Roh Moo-hyun apologized then.

by Special Reporting Team