THE Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said yesterday that North and South Korea will field combined teams in three sports — canoeing, rowing and women’s basketball — at the Asian Games in the latest sign of co-operation between the countries.

The Koreas will also march together at the opening and closing ceremonies at the games in Indonesia from August 18 to September 2.

Ties between the neighbours have improved since the Pyeongchang Olympics in South Korea in February. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae In agreed at a summit in April to participate jointly in international sports events.

Vinod Kumar Tiwari, the OCA director of international and National Olympic Committee relations, said: “This will be an historic Asian Games for the Olympic Council of Asia and for the continent because it will be the first time that North Korea and South Korea will form a unified team in certain sports.

“They have marched together before in the opening ceremony and we are delighted that they are extending their joint co-operation further in the spirit of unity and friendship.”