The contest will be held in Pyongyang, Phyongsong, Sariwon and Hamhung cities from January to August. It will bring together more than 10 000 school youth and children proving successful at city, county and provincial games.

Divided into groups of senior secondary schools and junior secondary schools and primary schools, its participants will compete in 17 events including basketball, volleyball, table tennis, speed skating, Taekwon-Do and ssirum (Korean wrestling).

The opening ceremony was attended by officials concerned and officials of the youth league and school youth and children.

Jon Yong Nam, chairman of the Central Committee of the youth league, made an opening speech.

At the end of the ceremony there was a demonstration of Taekwon-Do which was followed by a basketball match between boys of Kang Pan Sok Senior Secondary School in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang City and Undok Senior Secondary School in Hanggu District of Nampho City.