JOHANNESBURG - The four DPR Korean World Cup players who had reportedly disappeared in South Africa were seen in the team training in the Makhulong Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Media were allowed to watch 30 minutes of team training but DPR Korean players and coaches refused to answer questions.
The scheduled press conference never took place, leaving 200 journalists stranded in the stadium which had witnessed a stampede during the DPR Korea-Nigeria warmup game on June 7 that left 16 people injured.
Glenn Gordon Watson, a press officer with world soccer ruling body FIFA, refused to explain why the media conference had been cancelled.
Earlier Friday, FIFA denied rumors that four DPR Korean players listed as no-shows for their opening match against Brazil had disappeared.
The official team roster for the DPR Korea's 2-1 loss to Brazil on Tuesday listed substitute goalkeeper Kim Myong-Won, forward An Chol-Hyok, midfielders Kim Kyong-Il and Pak Sung-Hyok as "absent".
"We have no information that the players may have disappeared," a FIFA spokesman said.
