North Korea OUT of Tokyo Olympics over pandemic worries
The country’s Olympic committee said they’re officially sitting this one out to “protect athletes.”
Loading the front page…
The country’s Olympic committee said they’re officially sitting this one out to “protect athletes.”
The 2020 Summer Olympics is set to start in July of this year in light of the turmoil from last year causing Olympic authorities to postpone it. While the torch relay started in Japan last month, questions remain as to whether or not the world is ready for this international event to come back.
According to Reuters, North Korea is sitting out of the Tokyo Olympics this year as concerns over the COVID pandemic are still up in the air.
“The committee decided not to join the 32nd Olympics Games to protect athletes from the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus,” the ministry said.
This is in line with a series of isolationist moves made by Kim Jong Un in recent weeks. Back towards the end of March, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea even though such a test is banned by the UN Security Council. The US Pacific Command said this debacle solidified "the threat that North Korea's illicit weapons programme poses to its neighbours and the international community".
A little over a week beforehand, Kim Jong Un’s sister Kim Yo Jong warned that the Biden administration needs to “refrain from causing a stink” if they want to keep some semblance of peace for the next four years.
In related news, North and South Korea yesterday told the International Olympic Committee they want to co-host the 2032 Summer Olympic games.
Libby’s Desk
Commentary and must-reads from Libby’s desk, straight to your inbox.
TPM Newsletter
The Post Millennial’s top stories, delivered to your inbox.
