North Korea decides to pull out of Tokyo Games

SEOUL — The North Korean Olympic Committee has decided not to participate in this summer’s Tokyo Olympics due to concerns over the coronavirus, according to a statement dated Monday on the website of the country’s sports ministry.

The committee convened a meeting via videoconference in

Pyongyang on March 25, the statement said, during which it decided not to participate in the 32nd Olympiad, in the interest of “protecting its athletes from the global public health crisis caused by the malignant virus.”

The Korean Central News Agency had previously reported that the general meeting had been held, but these earlier reports did not mention the Tokyo Games.

The South Korean Unification Ministry expressed disappointment with the North’s decision in a statement released on Tuesday, saying they had hoped the Games would offer an opportunity to promote reconciliation and cooperation between the two Koreas and peace on the peninsula. (April 7)

KATO: WE’LL KEEP AN EYE ON IT The Yomiuri Shimbun

In response to North Korea’s announcement, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Tuesday that Japan would continue monitoring the situation closely.

“The North Koreans must now coordinate with the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo organizing committee,” Kato told reporters. “We’ll keep an eye on it.”

Kato added that the government is committed to preventing transmission of the virus and creating “an environment that is ready to welcome participants from a great many countries and regions.”

Tamayo Marukawa, minister for the Tokyo Games, said, “We’re in the process of confirming the details.” (April 7)

TOKYO DENIES TALKS

Kato denied on Wednesday that Tokyo is discussing with Washington a joint boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

“It is not a fact that Japan and the United States are communicating [regarding a boycott],” Kato said at a press conference. (April 8)