South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) failed to reach agreements on using South Korea's national flag and anthem in their World Cup qualifier in Pyongyang next month, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday.

"Today, we've met three times with the North (DPRK) officials, but could not narrow differences of opinion," said Yoo Young-cheol, Public Relations Director of South Korea's Football Association, after holding talks with DPRK official in DPRK's Kaesong city.

According to Yonhap, South Korea insisted that South Korea's national anthem and flag should be used during the qualifier match set for March 24 in Pyongyang.

However, the DPRK side suggested that the two sides jointly use a neutral flag depicting the Korean Peninsula and the traditional Korean folk song "Arirang." South Korea's Football Association rejected DPRK's proposal.

The KFA is expected to bring the issues to FIFA, Yonhap said.

South Korea, DPRK are grouped with Turkmenistan and Jordan.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2008)