North Korea "Will Not Attend Beijing Olympics but Fully Supports China" ... Criticizes Boycott

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea sent a letter to the Chinese Olympic Committee announcing its non-participation in this year's Beijing Olympics. However, it also stated that it would "fully support and cheer for" the Beijing Olympics, criticizing the 'diplomatic boycott' movement led by the United States.

The Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the 7th that "the Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea sent a letter to the Chinese Olympic Committee, the Organizing Committee of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games and Winter Paralympic Games, and the General Administration of Sport of China."

The letter was delivered by the North Korean ambassador to China, who met with a senior official of the General Administration of Sport of China on the 5th.

The letter stated, "Due to the machinations of hostile forces and the global pandemic situation, we are unable to participate in the games, but we will fully support and cheer for all the efforts of our Chinese comrades to prepare a grand and splendid Olympic festival."

It also praised the preparations for the Winter Olympics progressing smoothly under the leadership of President Xi Jinping despite the COVID-19 situation, and claimed that "the anti-China conspiracies and provocations by the United States and its followers to prevent the successful hosting of the Olympic Games are becoming more vicious."

The term 'anti-China conspiracies and provocations' appears to refer to the diplomatic boycott movement led by the United States and its major allies. The newspaper reported, "The letter emphasized that the Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea regard this as an insult to the spirit of the Olympic Charter and a despicable act to tarnish China's international image, and firmly oppose and reject it."

Furthermore, the letter expressed confidence that "the fraternal Chinese people and sportspeople, united under General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party, will overcome all disruptive provocations and difficulties and successfully host the Beijing Winter Olympic Games," the report said.

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