Saudi Arabia dominated from start to finish but a mixture of profligacy and stout defending from the Koreans proved their undoing.

Goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk was particularly impressive for the visitors and saved his side on numerous occasions with a string of fine stops.

The point means North Korea finish second in Group B and progress to South Africa along with neighbours South Korea while Saudi Arabia enter the lottery of the play-offs where they will face Bahrain in September.

After Iran had drawn with South Korea earlier in the day, the winner of this game knew they were assured of second place and Saudi Arabia attacked from the outset.

Naif Hazazi had an early chance for the hosts but he was denied by Ri before the stopper was in top form to deny the dangerous Yasser Al Qahtani after the forward had worked some space for a shot six yards from goal.

Ri was on hand to superbly deny the hosts once again shortly before the hour mark when Hazazi struck a stinging effort that look destined for the back of the net before the Korean keeper pulled off a fine save.

North Korea had been quiet for much of the first half but almost snatched the lead in the 35th minute when Jong Tae-se's low drive looked to be heading inside the near post before Abdullah Waleed did well to palm the ball behind for a corner.

Ri once again rescued his side seconds after the restart when Al Qahtani found himself through on goal but the stopper did well to deny the striker's effort.

Although North Korea's chances were few and far between when they did break forward they looked capable of scoring, and Waleed needed to be at full stretch to avert the danger of Pak Nam-chol's rasping drive midway through the second half.

Hazazi headed wide from six yards before Al Qahtani had penalty appeals for a handball waved away by the referee as the game entered the closing stages.

Mohammad Al Shalhoub's long-range effort was blocked by the Korean defence as the visitors continued to frustrate their opponents while Nassir Al Shamrani broke into the right side of the area in the final minute of normal time but conspired to send his shot high and wide of the goal.

But North Korea should have snatched a winner soon after when substitute Kim Kum-il picked up a pass inside the area but although unmarked, he sent his shot straight into the hands of Waleed.

Kim Yong-jun was dismissed deep in injury-time for a second bookable offence but Ri saved his side once again when he confidently held onto a strong shot from Hazazi.