Indonesian President invites leaders of two Koreas to ASIAD opening
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has invited Democratic People Republic's of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong-un and President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in to attend the opening of the Asian Games (ASIAD 2018) in August.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Source: EPA/VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian PresidentJoko Widodo has invited Democratic People Republic's of Korea (DPRK) leader KimJong-un and President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in to attend theopening of the Asian Games (ASIAD 2018) in August.
The invitation came on July 18 as the two Koreasagreed to have their athletes parade together during the event’s openingceremony.
Indonesian Secretary of State Pramono Anungpraised the joint parade, saying that it will be a centre of attention for theworld as the Games can bring the two Koreas closer, contributing to worldpeace.
Leaders of 26 countries will be present at theASIAD opening ceremony, according to national police chief General TitoKarnavian.
Close to 25,000 athletes and officials from 45countries and territories will arrive in Indonesia for the tournament, which isset to be held from August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta and Palembang, headded.
The same day, the Olympic Council of Asiaaffirmed that the two Koreas will jointly compete in three sports during theGames for the first time in history to further demonstrate the power of sportto unite.
Earlier, the DPRK and the RoK had agreed to fieldjoint teams to compete in women’s basketball, canoeing and rowing.
The two sides played in a joint ice hockey teamfor the first time at the Winter Olympics (PyeongChang 2018) in the RoK inFebruary, but have never competed as a team in any ASIAD before.-VNA
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Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Source: EPA/VNA) 
