South Korea's monthly magazine Chosun reported that two North Korean athletes attending the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan are considering seeking asylum in Japan. They have expressed their intention not to return to North Korea and prefer to stay in Japan rather than travel to South Korea.
The report cites sources identified as officials from Japan's Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office (CIRO), stating that these two individuals are part of the approximately 180-person North Korean delegation attending the games, which began on 19 Sep 2026 GMT+7. However, their identities, genders, or roles within the delegation have not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether the contacts exploring asylum possibilities will result in an actual defection.
Chosun noted that this information was obtained from sources connected to Japanese intelligence agencies and the pro-North Korean organization Chongryon (General Association of Korean Residents in Japan). Nevertheless, details about the individuals and their asylum application status have yet to be officially confirmed.
North Korea sent about 180 athletes and officials to this competition, including Kim Il-guk, Minister of Sports. This marks the first time in 41 years that North Korea has dispatched such a large delegation to an international sporting event in Japan, since the 1985 Summer Universiade in Kobe.
Previously, Japan restricted entry for North Korean nationals under unilateral sanctions but made an exception for participation in this Asian Games. Reuters reported that attempts to reach the Japanese government for comment on these reports were unsuccessful due to a public holiday in Japan.
So far, Japanese authorities have not confirmed whether the two individuals have formally applied for asylum or have left the North Korean delegation. The reports currently only reveal their expressed intentions and the exploration of asylum possibilities.
/sourceChosunilbo/Reuters