North Korea on Friday provided notice that it would not attend the CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) World Games in South Korea this October.

The sporting event, dedicated to contributing to world peace by uniting armed forces through sports, is one North Korea expressed in attending last October. However, at the end of last week it provided official notice that it would not attend, and on Sunday the Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed its decision.

“North Korea sent a statement to CISM international, without specifying the reason for cancellation,” the spokesperson from the preparation committee for the CISM World