The use of the North Korean national flag during the Asian Games will be restricted only to specific circumstances, with no exceptions extended to the South Korean people.
 
The prosecution made the decision on Sunday in a meeting with the Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee, the National Intelligence Service and the police.
 
It also clarified that North Korean flags will only be raised in the Asian Games when necessary, such as at matches, award ceremonies and the athlete’s village. The flags will also be banned on roads outside the stadium and match venues.
  
However, North Korean athletes and officials will be able to use North Korean flags when cheering on their players during matches.
   
A prosecution official said South Koreans could be punished on criminal charges of violating the national security law if they are found to have possessed or used North Korean flags during the Incheon Asian Games.
   
On September 10, a South Korean conservative organization protested a North Korean national flag put up by the Asiad organizing committee near a stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The flag was later removed.