N..Korea, S. Korea to set joint team

N..Korea, S. Korea to set joint team

SEOUL (Reuters): North Korea has not ruled out joining forces with rival South Korea to form a team for soccer's 2002 World Cup, Seoul's top football official said on his return from Pyongyang on Friday.

Chung Mong-joon, president of the Korea Football Association and a vice-president of football's international ruling body FIFA, conveyed a message from North Korean officials after a five-day visit.

"North Korea welcomes and supports the proposal by Mr Chung to field a single team with South Korea at international soccer games," the statement said.

North Korea would positively consider the request, the officials were quoted as saying, as it could help improve football skills in the North.