MOSCOW, 7 Jan. North Korea has refused to participate in the Beijing Olympics due to «hostile forces» and the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Central Telegraph Agency of Korea (CTAC).
& # 34; We will not be able to participate in the Olympics due to for the actions of hostile forces and the global pandemic, but we will fully support the Chinese comrades in their work to host a magnificent and beautiful Olympic Festival & # 34; — the statement says.
The North Korean authorities rejected the actions of the United States and «their vassal forces» , aimed, according to them, at disrupting the successful opening of the Games. According to Pyongyang, these actions offend the spirit of the Olympic Charter. Last September, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) removed the DPRK's National Olympic Committee (NOC) until the end of 2022 «for violating the charter and failing to fulfill its obligations.» The North Korean team has already missed the Tokyo Summer Olympics in July-August 2021. Earlier, South Korean leader Moon Jae-in said he hoped the Beijing Olympics would be «another turning point» in improving inter-Korean relations and promoting peace in Northeast Asia and The Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing from 4 to 20 February 2022.