The Korea Skating Union has decided to allow Kim Yu-na, Korea’s top female figure skater, to take part in the World Figure Skating Championship in Japan this March despite her recent injury.

The final decision came during the national body's first chairman's meeting of the year on Monday.

As for the Winter Asian Games in Changchun, China, which the 17-year-old Kim is also qualified to join when they begin on January 28th, the union has put Choi Ji-eun on the preliminary entry list in case Kim fails to recover in time. Choi was fourth in the November rankings.

If Kim cannot make the world championship in Tokyo as well, the union will name another national champion as her replacement on the entry list it submits to the International Skating Union.

Kim, who recently won the 2006 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championship, injured her back during exercise on Tuesday.