South and North Korea on Tuesday began exchanging letters to discuss the North's participation in the Incheon Asian Games.

An official at Seoul's Unification Ministry said that the games organizing committee sent a return letter to the North through the liaison office at the truce village of Panmunjeom on Tuesday. The North previously sent a letter to the South signed by its National Olympic Committee, which included the size of the North's delegation to the games and the suggestion of a discussion through letters.

In the letter delivered Tuesday, the organizing committee is known to have accepted the North's 273-member squad to the Asiad and their proposed travel method of flying directly from North Korea over the Yellow Sea.

Regarding Seoul's support for the North Korean athletes' stay during the games, the official said the ministry has reviewed relevant matters in accordance with the policy to provide necessary assistance, so the North Korean squad will have no hindrance in taking part in the games. 

The remark hints at Seoul footing some cost for the North Korean delegation.

But the letter did not include Seoul's position on the North's cheering squad which the North did not mention in its first letter.

With the games approaching, the two Koreas are expected to continue their consultations through further exchanges of letters.