Two North Korean Delegates Reportedly Seek Japan Asylum

Two members of North Korea’s 180-person delegation to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have reportedly indicated that they do not want to return home and are exploring asylum in Japan, according to a report by South Korea’s Monthly Chosun citing Japanese intelligence-linked sources. The individuals reportedly prefer Japan over South Korea, but their identities, roles and whether they have filed formal asylum applications remain unclear. North Korea’s participation marks its largest delegation to Japan in 41 years, and Tokyo made an exception to its usual entry restrictions on North Korean nationals for the international sporting event. Japanese officials also sought to promote bilateral exchanges with North Korean Sports Minister Kim Il-guk during the Games, though he reportedly showed little reaction.