North and South Korea have reacted positively...

North and South Korea have reacted positively to a proposal that they share the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, a move aimed at averting a boycott by communist countries, the International Olympic Committee said.

But the IOC said it wanted clarification of certain points by North Korea before calling a new round of talks to organize the transfer of some sports to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. The IOC had proposed that table tennis, archery, part of the soccer competition and the start of a 60-mile bicycle road race be held in North Korea.

In return, Pyongyang would have to drop all other claims to the Summer Games. These had included an equal division of the sports, a joint Olympic name and shared opening and closing ceremonies.

The Soviet Union and other communist countries have supported North Korean demands but have never stated publicly that they would support Pyongyang’s threatened boycott.

IOC spokeswoman Michel Verdier said North Korea “agreed in principle to the compromise put forward by the IOC.”