Beijing Winter Olympics: China ‘fully understands’ why North Korea will stay away
- Beijing aware of ‘special reasons’ behind neighbour’s absence, foreign ministry spokesman says
- North Korea, officially barred from the Games by the IOC, accuses the US and its allies of trying to sabotage the event
On Friday, North Korea’s state news agency said its Olympic committee and sports ministry sent a letter to their counterparts in China to formally notify them of their absence from the Games opening on February 4.
“We could not take part in the Olympics due to the hostile forces’ moves and the worldwide pandemic,” the letter said, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
The IOC has indicated that it remains open to individual North Korean athletes competing in Beijing.
The Chinese foreign ministry said North Korea and China were close neighbours with “traditionally friendly ties” and Beijing would continue to work with Pyongyang.
“The Chinese side fully understands the special reasons that have prevented the North Korean side from taking part in the Games,” ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in Beijing.
“The Chinese side is willing to continue strengthening cooperation with the North Korean side in various fields, including sport.”