It has been confirmed that South Korea invited North Korea to attend the Incheon Asian Games next year.

Vice minister of culture, sports and tourism Park Jong-gil told reporters Tuesday that Seoul asked the North to take part in the 2014 games about two months ago via the Olympic Council of Asia.

He said the government conveyed the invitation also through other channels that not only its athletes but also the North's cheering squad should come to Incheon for the Asian Games.

Earlier this month, Incheon City Mayor Song Young-gil met with the Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah and Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan during his visit to the Middle East. He asked for their cooperation in inviting North Korea to the sporting event held in South Korea.

The vice minister says the North has yet to respond but he expects to hear good news from Pyongyang soon.