North Korea has announced it will not take part in the Tokyo Olympics this year, saying the decision is to protect its athletes from Covid-19.
This is not exactly unexpected, given that the North does not have "good" relations with Japan.
The decision puts an end to South Korea's hopes of using the Games to engage with the North amid stalled cross-border talks.
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NK News reports that South Korean unification minister Lee In-young said he wants to send the country’s athletes and cheerleaders to the 2022 Beijing Winter Games using a railway that would pass through North Korean land. The idea itself is more than a decade old, but with just 10 months until the Beijing Olympics, Seoul is gunning for sports diplomacy and other projects to improve inter-Korean relations.
“Depending on what we do, I think the door is still open for dialogue and cooperation.
The Ministry of Unification will do its best to create momentum for reversing [the direction of] inter-Korean relations during the first half of 2021.”
If agreed upon, the train would depart Seoul Station, head to the inter-Korean border station of Dorasan, cross the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and head towards North Korea’s capital city of Pyongyang. After North Koreans get on board and join the South Korean delegation, the train would then head to Sinuiju — a North Korean city at the border of China — and then towards Beijing, where the Olympic games will be held. As Lee sees it, the ride could create a “very symbolic moment” in history.
However, this would require the approval of the USA.
Former unification minister Jeong Se-hyun supports the inter-Korean railroad, but said it likely won’t happen unless relations between Washington and Pyongyang improve.
“Picking North Koreans up and then going to Beijing together — that’s the dream.
But the most important factor here is the United States. Even if North Korea gets on board with the train … The final say on whether the train will be allowed through the Demilitarized Zone is with, unfortunately, the U.S. Forces Korea commander.”
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BREAKING: Tokyo Olympics will be held without spectators from overseas
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) March 9, 2021
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Tokyo Olympic organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto says decision on foreign spectators will be made by end of March, preferably by start to torch relay on 3/25. Says will consult scientific experts on infection situation and quarantine measures worldwide
— Motoko Rich (@motokorich) March 3, 2021
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Reuters: JAPAN GOVT HAS PRIVATELY CONCLUDED TOKYO OLYMPICS WILL HAVE TO BE CANCELLED BECAUSE OF CORONAVIRUS - THE TIMES, CITING SENIOR RULING COALITION MEMBER
— Vincent Lee (@Rover829) January 21, 2021
Tokyo will focus on trying to win the right to host the 2032 Games.
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The poll by the Japan News Network said only 17% thought it could be held next year in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"BREAKING: The now-postponed Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics will begin July 23, 2021 reports @tbs_news, our @CBSNews partner in Japan, citing “interviews with related parties.” @CBSNews is here. 🇯🇵 https://t.co/I4VGdjl49M— Ramy Inocencio 英若明 (@RamyInocencio) March 30, 2020
