Korean journalists, rights activists brawl at Games

DAEGU, South Korea -- North Korea threatened to pull out of the World University Games on Sunday after a brawl between North Korean reporters and human rights activists protesting the communist country's leader.

The melee set back hopes that the games would symbolize inter-Korean solidarity ahead of six-nation talks seeking to resolve a standoff over North Korea's suspected nuclear weapons program. The negotiations begin Wednesday in Beijing.

The fight, which lasted about 10 minutes, erupted as the reporters from the North's state-run media tried to seize banners critical of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il from about 20 protesters outside the stadium.

More than 100 South Korean riot police were at the scene and helped break up the scuffle. Dozens of uniformed and plain-clothed officers also swarmed in as the skirmish moved from the sidewalk toward the University Games main media center.

Angered by the banners and pictures, at least four North Korean reporters stormed out of the nearby media center and approached the activists.

"What is this? Take that away immediately," Ri Gwang Nam, one of the reporters, shouted.

Another North Korean reporter punched a South Korean who hunkered down with a banner held tightly.

wrapped in his arms. The activists said they fought back in self-defense.

"You communists! Come here!" activists shouted as security officials pulled the North Korean reporters back into the media center and blocked the activists from entering.

The organizers of the University Games, which began Thursday, were hoping North Korea's participation would help boost inter-Korean reconciliation ahead of this week's meeting in Beijing.

Representatives from the United States, China, Russia, Japan and the two Koreas are to meet for three days of talks in a bid to ease the nuclear standoff.

More than 7,180 athletes and officials from 172 nations were entered for the 22nd games, or Universiade, which was open to athletes ages 18 to 27 who are in full-time study or have graduated within the past 12 months.

North Korea had said before the competition that it would cancel its participation to protest the burning of its national flag and picture of Kim Jong Il in demonstrations in Seoul. Pyongyang withdrew the threat after South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said the burning incident was "inappropriate" and "regrettable."

The Koreas were divided in 1945 and share a heavily fortified border. The 1950-53 Korean War ended without a peace treaty.