Olympic logo installed around the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo/AP Yonhap News
Regarding North Korea’s announcement that it will not participate in the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for July due to the protection of players due to Corona 19, Japan is cautious, saying that it is grasping the specifics, but responding that it is embarrassing from inside. At a press conference on the 6th, Marukawa Tamayo, the Japanese Olympic Minister, said, “We are checking the details (about North Korea’s absence).” Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu also said at a regular press conference, “I will keep an eye on it.” It is known that the Japanese government is analyzing the intentions and contents of why North Korea expressed its absence at this point. Some voices say they are embarrassed when North Korea suddenly decides to absent from the Olympics with just over 100 days left. An official from the Tokyo Olympic Committee said, “I haven’t heard anything (about North Korea’s absence). Not in the middle of the night,” he said. Another official from the competition said in an interview, “I can’t say anything because there is no information, but there is a possibility for political reasons.” As the spread of Corona 19 continues, there is also a response that a country that does not participate in the Olympics is expected to emerge. Another official of the Japanese government said, “There is no surprise” in the decision to absent from North Korea, citing the border blockade due to Corona 19 and saying, “If you don’t go to the regional qualifiers, you can’t compete in the Olympics.” By Kim So-yeon, staff reporter