Seoul's hostile reaction on Pyongyang's decision to send a unique side-attraction has pushed North Korea to declare on Friday that it will no longer send cheerleaders in the upcoming Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

North Korea has retracted its promise to send 700 people including 350 cheerleaders to the 2014 Asian Games due to comments from the South calling the contingent "political subversives aimed at stirring trouble."

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North Korea's National Olympic Committee Vice President Son Kwang Ho announced in national television on Thursday to declare the country's decision. He also explained that the South's hostility towards them was the reason for this move.

He also cited arguments between the two countries on the size of flags to be used and "costs that caused working level talks to break down."

However, Son Kwang Ho clarified that North Korea will still be sending athletes, referees, coaches, and support staff members to participate in 14 events in the Games, which will be held on September 19 to October 4.

The two Koreas have been considering the idea of Pyongyang sending the cheerleaders to the Games in hopes of initiating diplomacy between the divided peninsula since July.

Seoul has voiced their disappointment in Pyongyang's announcement, claiming that it was the latter who broke off the talks. The South later expressed its hope that the North will change its decision and will still send cheerleaders to the Asian Games.

The highly anticipated Pyongyang cheering squad has performed in the past sporting events held in the South in 2002, 2003, and 2005. They have become a significant attraction.

North Korea's First Lady, Ri Sol Ju, was one of the members of the 2005 North Korean cheering squad.

Since the 1950s, the two Koreas have been divided along one of the world's most fortified border. The two are technically still in a state of war since the Korean War ended in a truce and not with a peace treaty.

TagsNorth Korea, cheerleader, 2014 Asian Games