North Korea drops out of Tokyo Olympics citing COVID-19, dashing South Korea hopes
FILE PHOTO: The Olympic rings are illuminated in front of the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan January 22, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon reuters tickers
This content was published on April 6, 2021 - 04:54
April 6, 2021 - 04:54
By Hyonhee Shin
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea will not join the Tokyo Olympics this year due to coronavirus concerns, the country s sports ministry said on Tuesday, dashing South Korean hopes the Games could be a catalyst to revive stalled peace talks.
It will be the first time North Korea has missed a Summer Olympics since it boycotted Seoul in 1988 amid the Cold War.
Tokyo Olympics News: North Korea will not join the Tokyo Olympics this year due to coronavirus concerns, the country's sports ministry said on Tuesday, dashing South Korea