The North Korea-led International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) has reportedly selected Pyongyang to host its next world championships.
 
In a telephone interview with the Voice of America published Friday, ITF spokesman George Vitale said the organization chose Pyongyang to host the 20th ITF World Championship in 2017 during the 19th World Championship held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria between August 24 and 30.
 
Vitale said the ITF hopes the Seoul-led Taekwondo governing body, World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), will send a demonstration team to the Pyongyang event, adding that it will help send a message that Taekwondo can bring the world together.
 
The WTF and the ITF signed an agreement in August last year in Nanjing, China to increase cooperation for the benefit of the sport. In July, an ITF official said the organization was considering sending a demonstration team to the WTF World Championships to be held in 2017 in Muju, North Jeolla Province.
 
 Meanwhile, it will be the first time in six years the North will host the ITF World Championship since it hosted the 17th event.