International Gymnastics Federation President Morinari Watanabe arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday to exchange views with North Korean officials about cooperation toward the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

Watanabe, who is scheduled to visit Pyongyang through Saturday, told reporters in Beijing, "We should consider sports in isolation from politics and we need to create an environment where (North Korea) can equally compete with other countries."

It is the first time for the head of the global governing body of gymnastics to visit North Korea. Watanabe was invited by North Korea's gymnastics association.

In March, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, and he voiced support for the country's participation in the next Summer Games in 2020.

Watanabe became the first Asian president at the International Gymnastics Federation in January last year. Since then, he has been visiting its member countries and regions.

After taking part in the February's Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea, the North has been actively engaged in sports events.

On Thursday, a delegation of the North Korean Football Association, headed by Vice Premier of the Cabinet Ri Ryong Nam, left for Russia to watch the 2018 soccer World Cup at the invitation of FIFA, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported.

Ri is also serving as chairman of North Korea's football association.