By Kim Hyo-jin
North Korea will not attend an international military sports event hosted by North Gyeongsang Province in October, the Defense Ministry said Sunday.
North Korea’s sports education committee gave notice of its decision not to attend the 6th Military World Games in a letter to the International Military Sports Council (CISM), according to the ministry.
The North did not give a reason for its decision.
There has been speculation here about whether Pyongyang would send a delegation. The reclusive state has participated in the quadrennial international sports event since 1993 in an effort to show its military strength to the world. And it has finished high in medal standings at each game.
The decision came amid increasing tension between South and North Korea. Earlier, Pyongyang also rejected Seoul’s invitation to attend the Seoul Defense Dialogue from Sept. 9 to 11.
“We hoped the event would become an opportunity to thaw frayed South and North Korean relations,” a defense ministry official was quoted as saying. “It’s a shame that it didn’t come as expected.”
The international sports event for soldiers will take place in the eight municipalities of North Gyeongsang Province, including Mungyeong, from Oct. 2-11.
So far, 5,440 soldiers of 72 nations have applied, according to the organizing committee.
Countries that have confirmed their participation include China, Russia, the U.K., Germany, France, Hungary, East Timor, and Myanmar. Libya, Afghanistan, Laos and Mexico notified of their decision not to attend.
The Military World Games are the third-largest international multi-sport event after the Olympics and the Universiad. It was organized to promote friendship and solidarity among the world’s military personnel through sports.
The 2015 events are expected to feature 24 sports including swimming, running, shooting, and a pentathlon, with about 8,700 soldiers from about 100 countries participating.