North and South Korea agreed on Wednesday to work towards establishing a unified team for the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Top officials from both countries called for closer co-operation between North and South, who will march together at the opening ceremony of the world university games on Thursday.

"A joint Korean team is something the two National Olympic Committees should be responsible for," said North Korean International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative Chang Ung. "However, the IOC can support from the sidelines. If it does not get involved then it will be difficult to accomplish."

Chang met South Korean IOC vice president Kim Un-yong in Taegu and both men issued a joint statement agreeing to lay the foundations for a unified Korean team in Athens.

"The Olympic committees of the two Koreas have agreed to lend their support for a united team at the Athens Olympics," it said.

Chang and Kim are set to meet again in Beijing in October with a follow-up meeting in Pyongyang.