US State Department: "North Korea's Absence from Tokyo Olympics Likely Due to COVID-19"

No Political Implications Intended

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Department of State evaluated North Korea's absence from the Tokyo Olympics as a measure consistent with North Korea's strict response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Ned Price, spokesperson for the Department of State, said at a briefing on the 6th (local time) in response to a question about North Korea's absence from the Tokyo Olympics, "We are aware of reports that North Korea has decided not to participate in the Summer Olympics," adding, "It appears to be consistent with North Korea's strict response to COVID-19."

This is interpreted as a remark avoiding political implications regarding North Korea's decision not to participate in the Tokyo Olympics.

The South Korean government had hoped for the possibility of opening dialogue not only between the two Koreas but also between North Korea and the U.S. through the Tokyo Olympics, but North Korea announced on the day that it decided not to participate in the Tokyo Olympics to protect its athletes from the COVID-19 crisis.

Spokesperson Price further emphasized only the principle, stating, "We will continue close coordination with South Korea and Japan on North Korea issues in pursuit of the shared goal of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific."

He also explained that although the trilateral security chiefs meeting among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan has concluded, the review of North Korea policy is still ongoing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.