North Korean Sports Minister Kim Il-guk, currently visiting Japan for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, has been maintaining a low-profile stance without engaging in public sports diplomacy.

Choson Sinbo, the official newspaper of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), reported that Minister Kim visited Chosen University yesterday (September 29) along with the North Korean Olympic Committee delegation and some members of the North Korean athletic delegation.

According to the newspaper, Minister Kim expressed his gratitude to the Chosen University students who have been supporting the athletic delegation as official North Korean volunteers during the games.

Regarding the cheering squad led by Chosen University students, he emphasized, "The enthusiastic cheers from the Chosen University students and fellow compatriots, which gave strength and courage to our athletes, are a powerful demonstration of the legitimacy and superiority of ethnic education."

Having entered Japan as part of the North Korean Olympic Committee delegation two days before the opening ceremony, Minister Kim has kept a low profile with little public activity for two weeks, aside from attending the opening ceremony, watching North Korean games, and participating in some medal ceremonies.

This is the first report by Choson Sinbo regarding Minister Kim's activities in 11 days, following a report on September 19 regarding his attendance at the welcome ceremony for the North Korean delegation.

North Korean state media has not released any additional reports since announcing Minister Kim's departure for Japan on September 16.

On the other hand, local Japanese media outlets have been showing keen interest in Minister Kim's every move.

Previously, the Asahi Shimbun reported that during the opening ceremony on September 19, a Japanese government official attempted to approach Minister Kim to convey intentions of promoting North Korea-Japan exchanges, but the effort failed to develop into meaningful dialogue amid a cold response from Kim's side.

Minister Kim is visiting Japan as a North Korean cabinet-level official for the first time in eight years and is reportedly expected to stay in Japan until the closing ceremony of the games.
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)