The South Korean government decided Wednesday to accept North Korea’s offer to march together at the opening and closing ceremonies of next month's Doha Asian Games.

The decision follows Pyongyang's proposal last week to discuss the issue in the Qatari capital ahead of the regional athletic competition. The North also offered to form a joint team representing the two Koreas for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

If the joint march is realized, it would mark the eighth time for athletes from South and North Korea to march together since the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

The Unification Ministry said the government saw no reason why it should reject the non-political offer.

The 15th Asian Games will open in Doha on December first.