Ruling party chief invites N. Korea to attend Daegu athletics championships

DAEGU, July 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's ruling party chief on Thursday invited North Korea to compete in the upcoming World Championships in Athletics to be held in this southeastern city next month in a bid to promote regional peace through the sporting event. "The North Korean government should make a decision to promote peaceful coexistence in the Korean Peninsula," Rep. Hong Joon-pyo of the Grand National Party (GNP) said, noting applications are open until mid-August. Hong made the remarks at a consultative meeting with Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, Culture Minister Choung Byung-gug and other senior officials at Daegu Stadium, the main venue for the event. They met to discuss ways to support the championships, to be held from Aug. 27-Sept. 4. "The successful hosting of this event will elevate the nation's status and boost the local economy," Hong said, pledging full backing for event preparation efforts. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) championships will bring together nearly 2,500 athletes from at least 207 countries, according to organizers. The biennial event is among the world's largest sports competitions and its coverage is transmitted to billions around the world. On Thursday, organizers began a 30-day countdown by opening the track and field interactive hall on the stadium's east wing.