SEOUL, Sept 22 (Reuters) - ⁠Two members of North Korea's delegation to ⁠the Asian Games in Japan are looking to ‌seek asylum, South Korea's Monthly Chosun magazine reported on Tuesday.

Citing a source it identified as an official from Japan's Cabinet ​Intelligence and Research Office, the ⁠magazine said the two ⁠were among a 180-member North Korean delegation attending the ⁠Aichi-Nagoya ‌Asian Games, which opened on Saturday.

The two North Koreans expressed a preference to ⁠seek asylum in Japan rather than South ​Korea and ‌have communicated their intention not to return home, ⁠the report ​said.

Their identities and positions within the delegation were not disclosed, and it remained unclear whether their reported ⁠outreach would ultimately lead to a ​defection, according to Monthly Chosun.

The magazine said the information was obtained through a source connected to Japan's ⁠intelligence apparatus and linked to the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, known as Chongryon.

North Korea sent about 180 athletes and officials to ​the Games, including Sports Minister ⁠Kim Il-guk, according to media reports.

Reuters could not immediately ​reach the Japanese government for ‌comment on a national holiday ​in Japan.

(Reporting by Kyu-seok Shim and Sam Nussey in TOKYO; Editing by Kim Coghill)