Breaking
CNThe Taiwanese delegation was hit with graffiti at the Nagoya Asian Games relay station, and the police launched an investigationTRTwo-Vehicle Traffic Accident in Istanbul: 9 Injured, 2 of them SeriousDEUS Congress passes law for Russia sanctionsINIndian athletes face logistical and accreditation issues at Asian Games in JapanAUNSW Planning Minister Halts Sydney Town Hall Square Project for IPC ReviewRUSocial contract in Russia: up to 350 thousand rubles for business and up to 200 thousand for personal farmingRUTürkiye filed an application with the ICC regarding the Ukrainian attack on the Reyhan Sarı shipCNHuawei Unveils Ascend 960 SuperPoD and Upgraded UnifiedBus Interconnect at Huawei Connect 2026RUTop manager of Walt Disney in Russia received 2.5 years in prison for drug smugglingCNInvestor bought Nanya stock eight times in a row, soaring more than 6%CNThe Taiwanese delegation was hit with graffiti at the Nagoya Asian Games relay station, and the police launched an investigationTRTwo-Vehicle Traffic Accident in Istanbul: 9 Injured, 2 of them SeriousDEUS Congress passes law for Russia sanctionsINIndian athletes face logistical and accreditation issues at Asian Games in JapanAUNSW Planning Minister Halts Sydney Town Hall Square Project for IPC ReviewRUSocial contract in Russia: up to 350 thousand rubles for business and up to 200 thousand for personal farmingRUTürkiye filed an application with the ICC regarding the Ukrainian attack on the Reyhan Sarı shipCNHuawei Unveils Ascend 960 SuperPoD and Upgraded UnifiedBus Interconnect at Huawei Connect 2026RUTop manager of Walt Disney in Russia received 2.5 years in prison for drug smugglingCNInvestor bought Nanya stock eight times in a row, soaring more than 6%
Newsgather
All StoriesWorldSportsFinanceTechScienceHealthCultureClimatePoliticsSpace
BackNorth Korea sends largest-ever sports delegation to Japan for Asian Games
North Korea sends largest-ever sports delegation to Japan for Asian Games
Developing
SCMP Economy1 hour agoSports1 min readChina

North Korea sends largest-ever sports delegation to Japan for Asian Games

north koreakim il-gukasian games

Quick Look

North Korea's sports minister Kim Il-guk led a delegation of 180 people, including 107 athletes, to Japan for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture, marking the country's largest-ever sporting delegation to Japan despite general entry bans on North Korean nationals under sanctions.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Tokyo generally bars North Korean nationals from entry under sanctions against Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes.

Font size

State media reported on Wednesday that a delegation led by Kim Il-guk, North Korea’s sports minister, had left for Japan to attend the Games. The 20th Asian Games are being held in Nagoya and surrounding Aichi prefecture and run from Saturday to October 4.

North Korea’s 180-strong delegation is made up of 107 athletes competing across 14 sports – including football, weightlifting, table tennis and wrestling – alongside support staff. It is the country’s largest sporting delegation ever to visit Japan, according to Kyodo News.

Tokyo generally bars North Korean nationals from entry under sanctions against Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes, making this a rare exception. Observers say North Korea is using the international stage to project stability and shed its image as a pariah state.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

  • North Korea may send similar delegations to future international sporting events in Japan

    Possible · Within months

Open Questions

  • How long will the delegation stay in Japan?
  • What specific events will North Korean athletes compete in?
  • Will this lead to further diplomatic engagements between North Korea and Japan?

Related Topics

north korea
PeopleKim Il-guk
OrganizationsNorth Korean governmentKyodo News
PlacesNagoyaAichi prefectureJapan
Topicskim il-gukasian gamesnagoyaaichi prefecturekyodo newssports delegation
This article was originally published by SCMP Economy.

Related Stories

The Taiwanese delegation was hit with graffiti at the Nagoya Asian Games relay station, and the police launched an investigation
BREAKING·

The Taiwanese delegation was hit with graffiti at the Nagoya Asian Games relay station, and the police launched an investigation

A banner posted by the Taiwanese delegation at the relay station at Mizono Elementary School during the Nagoya Asian Games was graffitied. The word "Taiwan" seemed to have been daubed with ink. Nagoya police have launched an investigation on suspicion of damage to equipment. The team has removed the ink and replaced the banner with a new one.

自由时报
2 min read
Dodgers starting pitcher Snell pitches only one inning and retires, defeated by Reds
Developing·

Dodgers starting pitcher Snell pitches only one inning and retires, defeated by Reds

The Los Angeles Dodgers sent two-time Cy Young left-hander Snell as the starter today, but he only pitched one inning and left the game early due to tightness in his left groin. The line failed to effectively connect points. In the end, they lost to the Cincinnati Reds 2:6. The magic number of the district championship remained at M1. The two sides won four consecutive games against the Reds.

自由时报
1 min read
Preparations for the 48th WorldSkills Competition Shanghai have entered the sprint stage. Materials for 64 events have arrived and venue debugging is in progress.
BREAKING·

Preparations for the 48th WorldSkills Competition Shanghai have entered the sprint stage. Materials for 64 events have arrived and venue debugging is in progress.

The 48th WorldSkills Competition will open at the National Convention and Exhibition Center in Shanghai on September 22. Preparations for the event are currently entering the final sprint stage. All construction materials for the 64 competition events have been brought in. The function rooms and workstation structures of the venue are basically completed, and various facilities and equipment have begun final debugging. The competition covers six major fields including transportation and logistics, structure and construction technology, and Chinese contestants will compete in all 64 projects. In order to enhance the viewing experience, the floral art project uses a black light-absorbing background, the computer project adds a new external display screen, the hairdressing and other competitions introduce AI intelligent design technology, and the competition venue sets up a "Try Your Skills" experience area for the audience to participate.

中国新闻网
2 min read
Spartan Obstacle Race 10th anniversary, final event returns to Tamsui Bali
Sports·

Spartan Obstacle Race 10th anniversary, final event returns to Tamsui Bali

The Spartan Obstacle Race has entered its 10th anniversary in Taiwan, and the final event will be held in Tamsui and Bali from October 10th to 11th. For the first time, the event is combined with the national monument Huwei Terrace, and attracts elite athletes from the Philippines, Japan, Austria and other countries to participate, challenging the limits of physical fitness and willpower.

自由时报
2 min read
More on this topicnorth korea