The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is looking forward to grabbing at least 10 gold medals at the 4th East Asian Games, an official said on Wednesday.

The delegation official who prefers to be anonymous told Xinhua that they hoped to be as good here as in the inaugural games in 1993.

DPRK walked away with 10 gold, 20 silver and 24 bronze medals in the 1993 games in Shanghai but opted out of the 1997 and 2001 versions.

The official added DPRK's gold chances would lie in soccer, rowing, gymnastics and wushu.

The 94-member DPRK delegation will compete in 11 out of 17 sports in the games.

DPRK and South Korea will "very likely" have a joint march-in the Oct. 29 opening ceremony, according to DPRK's deputy chef de mission Kim Yong-man.

Eerier reports said DPRK proposed a joint march and South Korea responded with an affirmative yes.

In September, South Korea and DPRK sports chiefs reached a provisional agreement on fielding unified teams for the 2006 Asian Games at talks arranged by the Olympic Council of Asia in the Chinese city of Guangzhou.

South Korea and DPRK fielded unified teams for the world table tennis championships and international youth soccer competition, both in 1991. They also have marched together five times in Olympic opening and closing ceremonies.

Source: Xinhua