North Korea's participation in the Gwangju 2025 World Archery Championships is uncertain due to strained inter-Korean relations. Despite efforts by the organizing committee and the World Archery to invite North Korea, communication channels remain blocked. Attention is now focused on the possibility of North Korea's participation in the 2027 Chungcheong Summer Universiade, with hopes to revive inter-Korean sports exchanges. Table tennis is expected to be the first sport to have contact with North Korea, with potential meetings at the Asian Championships in India. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee is preparing for potential inter-Korean sports exchanges at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

North Korea will not participate in the 2025 Rhine-Ruhr Summer Universiade in Germany. Attention is now focused on whether North Korea will participate in the 2027 Chungcheong Universiade in South Korea. The Chungcheong Universiade Organizing Committee plans to invite North Korea to participate, expecting it to improve inter-Korean relations, referencing North Korea's participation in the 2003 Daegu Universiade, but North Korea also withdrew from the 2015 Gwangju Universiade after initially applying to participate. Kee Heung LEE, former president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, has stated he will strive for North Korea's participation in international events held in South Korea.

With the new South Korean government prioritizing inter-Korean reconciliation, there are expectations for a joint entry of South and North Korean athletes at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Following the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, inter-Korean joint marches in international multi-sport events were discontinued. However, President Lee Jae-myung's focus on easing tensions and restoring inter-Korean relations has raised hopes for sports to play a role in fostering reconciliation. Table tennis may lead the way for sports exchanges, with discussions of forming unified teams. Kim Il-guk met with Thomas BACH and Kirsty COVENTRY in Lausanne, raising the possibility of North Korea participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics with wildcards. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee is monitoring the situation, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to align with the government's policies on inter-Korean collaboration.

The success of the 2027 Chungcheong Universiade is crucial for Jeonbuk's bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will likely decide the host city before or after the Universiade, making the event's preparation and execution a key factor. The Chungcheong Universiade, involving Daejeon, Sejong, Chungbuk, and Chungnam, mirrors Jeonbuk's 'local city alliance' strategy. A successful Universiade could reassure the IOC about the ability of Korean local cities to host major international events, boosting Jeonbuk's competitiveness. The organizing committee, led by Vice Chairman Lee Chang-seop, is preparing for the Universiade, with events planned for May and July 2025, including a visit from the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Secretary-General and the acquisition of the games flag. The Universiade will use existing facilities and promote Korean culture, but faces budget and accommodation challenges.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, a rare incident occurred in women's gymnastics floor exercise where the bronze medalist changed twice due to judging controversies. Initially, Romania's Anna Barbosu secured third place, but an American challenge led to Jordan Chiles taking the bronze. Romania protested to CAS, arguing the U.S. challenge was filed late. CAS sided with Romania, restoring Barbosu as the bronze medalist. The incident sparked outrage, with the Romanian Prime Minister criticizing FIG and the Romanian Gymnastics Federation initially threatening to boycott the closing ceremony. The key issue was the timing of the U.S. challenge, which CAS determined was filed 1 minute and 4 seconds after the score was posted, violating FIG rules requiring challenges within 1 minute.