South Korea on Friday reiterated its decision to ban citizens from carrying North Korean flags during the upcoming Incheon Asian Games.

While prohibiting Pyongyang's flag violates provisions of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) under article 58, Asian Games press relations manager Lee Cha Ho explained some exceptions could be made given the difficult relationship between the two Koreas.

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Lee said the North Korean flag could be a problem with regard to compliance with the country's National Security Law. The law prohibits anti-state acts that pose threats to national security and its citizens' lives and freedom.

Additionally, conservative groups, particularly among Seoul's older generation, have also expressed anti-Pyongyang sentiments, which caused the committee to reconsider the issue and consult with the government.

According to OCA's article 58, flags of competing countries (NOC) should be freely flown in all stadiums and in surrounding neighborhoods.

South Korea's Unification Ministry said the NOC flags - including North Korea's - would be flown in all participating stadiums and other official locations including the athlete's village but would not be allowed in the streets of Incheon.

Event organizers confirmed 45 flags of competing countries were taken down from Incheon's streets and in nearby towns and replaced by Asian Games signs and OCA flags.

Unification Ministry spokesperson Lim Byeong Cheol said Seoul's position on the flag issue has remained unchanged since 2002 and 2003 when North Korean athletes visited the country for the Busan Asian Games and the Daegu Universiade.

During that time, North Korean flags were only allowed at official ceremonies and venues, he said.

Last month, Pyongyang declared it would withdraw its offer to send 350 cheerleaders to the event and alleged Seoul of "abusing sacred sports and cultural exchange" for its own "sinister political purpose(s)."

North Korea will be sending a total of 273 athletes and officials to the 17^th Asian Games. The first batch arrived in Incheon on Thursday.

TagsNorth Korea, Korean peninsula, 17th Asian Games, Incheon Asian Games, Olympic Council of Asia, Unification Ministry