Tight security for N Korea athletes

INCHEON, Sept 20 (AFP): Hundreds of South Korean security personnel, including intelligence agents, are guarding North Korean athletes at the Asian Games as the host nation takes no chances during the showcase event, officials said Saturday.

The 150 men and women, closely watched wherever they go, gave another stern performance at the official opening ceremony Friday night.

The crowd in the Incheon stadium gave the North Koreans one of the biggest cheers of the night but the delegation from the isolated state stared blankly ahead with barely a smile.

There was a similar stony silence for their welcome ceremony at the Incheon athletes' village Thursday. The North Koreans looked on expressionless as a South Korean breakdance group leaped about to South Korean pop star Psy's hit "Gangnam Style".

Seven North Koreans who arrived at the weightlifting arena Friday were escorted through security by an equal number of South Korean agents to keep spectators back.

A similar shield is thrown up whenever North Koreans, official or unofficial, come across the heavily militarised border for talks or other reasons.

The South's strict National Security Law punishes unauthorised contact with North Koreans or activities deemed to be praising or sympathising with the communist state.