North Korea says it will skip Tokyo Olympics
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North Korea, which was a major presence at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, will not participate in this year s Tokyo Summer Olympics due to COVID-19 concerns, a state-run website announced on Tuesday. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, April 5 (UPI) North Korea will not take part in this year s Tokyo Summer Olympics due to COVID-19 concerns, a state-run media outlet reported on Tuesday.
At a meeting of North Korea s Olympic Committee on March 25, authorities discussed the suggestions of its members and decided not to participate in the 32nd Olympic Games in order to protect players from the world public health crisis caused by COVID-19, website Sports in the DPR Korea reported.
北 57년만에 도쿄올림픽 또 불참…文 평창 분위기 재연 불발
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[서울신문] 도쿄올림픽 불참선언 北 일본 니들이 평화 위협 장본인
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Blow to plans for joint bid to host the 2032 Games North’s missile tests in March raised tensions (Adds TV tag, Japan reaction in paragraphs 9-10)
By Hyonhee Shin
It will be the first time North Korea has missed a Summer Olympics since it boycotted Seoul in 1988 amid the Cold War.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in had hoped the two countries, still technically at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, could field a combined team in Tokyo and rebuild momentum for improved relations.
The North’s withdrawal from Tokyo is also a setback for plans, agreed at a 2018 summit between Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, to pursue a joint Korean bid to host the 2032 Games.