Koreas: Unified Olympics teams

North Korea and South Korea have agreed to compete as a single team in the 2006 Asian Games and the 2008 Olympics, according to a South Korean official.

The two sides have competed separately since the 1950-53 Korean War, though they have marched together at some recent sports events.

The official said that as cultural and economic exchanges between the two sides increased, “the mood was ripe”.

Combining the teams will need approval from relevant sporting bodies.

North Korea’s official news agency has not yet commented on the proposal.