Choson Sinbo, a pro-North Korean newspaper in Japan, reported Thursday that the North's capital city of Pyongyang is the sole bidder for the right to host the 17th World Taekwondo Championships in 2011.

The biennial championships are organized by the International Taekwondo Federation, which is led by North Korea. The Korean martial art competitions are different from Taekwondo championships organized by South Korea's World Taekwondo Federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

The 15th ITF championships were held in Bled, Slovenia in April 2007. Russia's St. Petersburg will host the 16th championships in 2009.