North Korea has asked the Asia Football Confederation to ensure it does not face South Korea in the final round of Asian region qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup.

Japan’s Sankei Sports newspaper reported on Thursday that the Asian football governing body did not accept the request and will hold the drawing of lots as scheduled at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The newspaper, quoting an official of the Japan Football Association, said the drawing will be held as planned, regardless of any political or diplomatic background and issues.

South Korea thus has a 50 percent chance of facing its North Korean opponents in the final round of Asian qualifiers.

North Korea will appear in the qualifiers for the first time since 1994. The country’s only appearance in the World Cup championship tournament to date was in 1966, when they reached the quarterfinals.