The two Koreas have made little headway on the proposed unified team since their agreement discuss the plan in 2005, mainly due differences on how to compose the team. South Korea has insisted athletes be selected based on performance, while the North demands equal representation.

The two sides last met in February, without setting a new date for further talks.

On Thursday, a spokesman for the North's Olympic committee said South Korea's "irrational stubbornness" was holding up the discussions and that the South "has no will to form a unified team."

"The talks, which were in the final stage of conclusion thanks to our compromise and sincerity, failed to bear fruit," the unnamed spokesman was quoted as saying by the North's official Korean Central News Agency.

The North's proposal of equal representation "was a reasonable and realistic measure that will achieve reconciliation and cooperation" between the divided Koreas, the spokesman said.

Athletes from the two Koreas marched together at the opening ceremonies of the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, and at the 2002 and 2006 Asian Games, but competed separately.

The Koreas remain technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty, but their ties have warmed following a 2000 summit between their leaders.