North Korea Olympic Committee Criticizes Japan and IOC: "Dokdo Labeling Violates National Sovereignty"

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] North Korea, which had notified its withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, simultaneously criticized Japan and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over the issue of Dokdo notation.

The North Korean Olympic Committee, in a statement issued on the 17th under the name of its spokesperson, condemned the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee for labeling Dokdo as Takeshima on the map of Japan on its official website, calling it "an act of mockery against athletes worldwide and humanity's wish for peace, as well as an intolerable provocation that violates our nation's sovereignty."

It further pointed out, "The vile act committed by the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee, which is abusing the opportunity to host the Olympics, contains a sinister intention to establish a precedent for labeling Dokdo as 'Japanese territory' at every future international sports event and to gain international recognition of Japan's claim over Dokdo."

The statement added, "The shamelessness of the Japanese sports community, which is disturbing the sacred ideology and spirit of the Olympic movement to seize our inherent territory, has reached its peak," emphasizing, "It must now correct the map used in the Olympic torch relay that labels Dokdo as 'Japanese territory.'"

Regarding the IOC, which has been tacitly allowing this situation, the statement criticized, "We cannot help but hold the International Olympic Committee responsible for its double standards in condoning and encouraging this."

It recalled that during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the IOC had opposed the notation of Dokdo on the Korean Peninsula flag, citing political neutrality, and urged, "As an international organization, it should act with fairness and proper conduct."

North Korea announced its decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics in April, citing the protection of athletes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the IOC officially confirmed this in June and redistributed the Olympic participation slots.

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