South Korea says it will partially support the cost of North Korean athletes' participation in the Incheon Asian Games.

A government official said Tuesday that the two Koreas do not differ widely on the cost issue.

The official said that Seoul will provide an adequate level of assistance in consideration of inter-Korean ties and precedents.

But the official added that Seoul cannot foot the whole bill, saying South Korea's support is for the North Korean athletes to take part in the games with no inconveniences.

In addition to aid from the Olympic Council of Asia, the government is expected to use the South-North Cooperation Fund to finance the cost for the athletes.

However, it's believed that this time, the Seoul will not shoulder most of the expense for the North Korean athletes as it did in the 2002 Busan Asian Games when inter-Korean ties were more favorable.

Also regarding Pyongyang's decision not to send a cheerleading squad to the Incheon games, the government said that if the North changes its mind, Seoul would welcome the decision, but it not push the North on the matter.