Olympics brings Koreas together

The two Koreas will not march under their national flags

North and South Korean teams will march together for the first time at an Olympics when the Sydney Games open next Friday.

The president of the International Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch, made the announcement on Sunday during the opening session of the committee's congress in the Australian capital.

"The IOC is pleased to announce officially that an agreement has been reached between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic for a joint parade at the opening ceremony," Mr Samaranch said.

He said the teams will wear the same uniform, and will march behind a special flag of unity, depicting the Korean peninsula.

Long negotiations

The two Koreas fought a bitter civil war half a century ago and have never signed a peace treaty.

The Sydney arrangement comes as North Korea sends a special envoy to the south to discuss a planned visit by President Kim Jong-II to Seoul.

Mr Samaranch termed the Koreas agreement "good news"

During the games, however, they will compete as separate countries, with their own uniforms, flags and anthems.

"I think this is very good news for sport, for the Olympic family and also for the Games of Sydney," said Mr Samaranch.

The agreement was reached after long negotiations between Mr Samaranch, officials from both countries and approved by the IOC executive board.

"Ultimate goal"

South Korean ministers raised the Olympics issue with their counterparts during recent talks in Pyongyang, the capital of the communist North.

The Koreas will be have a total of nearly 500 athletes in Sydney

The leaders of the two Koreas had received letters from the IOC president ahead of their June summit in Pyongyang.

Mr Samaranch had proposed that all Korean athletes march jointly under the Olympic flag, which would be followed by the flags of each country.

South Korea accepted the proposal, while North Korea said there was no need for the two national flags because the ultimate goal of both countries is unification.

North Korea is sending about 50 athletes to Sydney, while South Korea will be sending nearly 400.