The government said it is not considering forming a joint team with North Korea for this year's Summer Universiade to be hosted by the city of Gwangju.
 
An official at the Ministry of Unification said the government plans to strongly support the Summer Universiade, but that it is improper to form a single team with Pyongyang, considering inter-Korean relations and national sentiment.
 
The official said the government will review whether to fund the cost of North Korea’s participation taking into account international practices and precedents.
 
Speculation that the two Koreas may form a single team was raised after the North officially submitted an application to participate in the event last week.