There will be joint games involving players of the men's and women's teams from the north and the south and friendship games between teams from both sides.

There were joint games of players from the north and the south at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium Wednesday.

Watching the games were Choe Hwi, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Sports Guidance Committee, Jon Kwang Ho, vice-premier of the Cabinet, Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, Kim Il Guk, minister of Physical Culture and Sports, officials concerned, sportspersons, Pyongyang citizens and overseas Koreans.

Also watching the games were the south side's delegation led by Minister of Unification Jo Myong Gyun and leading members of the players' group.

Earlier to the games, congratulatory speeches were made.

Kim Il Guk expressed the conviction that the games would mark an important occasion in demonstrating the desire and wish of the sportspersons of the north and the south to advance by getting into step with each other at the new starting line of peace and prosperity and in sharing valuable experience of each other.

Jo Myong Gyun said that the current basketball games will make great contribution to expanding the sports exchange and furthering the national reconciliation and unity, hoping that the players would fully display ability and friendship before the Koreans and the world.

The men and women players of the north and the south entered the gymnasium, being warmly welcomed by spectators.

They held joint games, being divided into Peace Team and Prosperity Team.

The Prosperity Team won in women's match and the men's match ended in a tie.