The decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban North Korea from participating in the Beijing Winter Games in February 2022 has repercussions on efforts to revive dialogue with Pyongyang. South Korea, but also China could seize the opportunity of the Olympics to reactivate talks at a time when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is worried about nuclear activities in the North. These issues are expected to be addressed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, expected in Seoul on September 14 and 15.
Announced on Wednesday September 8, the IOC’s decision sanctions North Korea’s refusal to participate in the Tokyo Olympics, organized in July. “The National Olympic Committee of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea [RPDC, nom officiel du Nord] has not fulfilled one of its fundamental duties and obligations “, explained the instance. “Each national committee is obliged to participate in the Games of the Olympiad by sending athletes”, indeed specifies the Olympic charter.
The North Korean Olympic committee is suspended until the end of 2022, a sanction that could be extended. The measure prohibits him from receiving financial aid or benefiting from IOC programs. He must renounce the funds owed under the previous Olympic Games but frozen due to international sanctions.
“Message of moderation addressed to Washington”
However, the IOC has not completely closed the door to the Beijing Olympics, saying it is ready to let qualified North Korean athletes participate. Recalling its independence from the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee for its part assured that North Korean athletes were welcome in Beijing. Since its first appearance at the Munich Olympics in 1972, the DPRK has only missed those of 1984, in solidarity with the Soviet bloc which boycotted the Los Angeles Games, and in 1988, when the competitions were held in Seoul.
In April, she abandoned the Tokyo Olympics, citing the need to protect athletes from the “Global health crisis caused by Covid-19”. The DPRK has not confirmed any case of Covid-19 but has closed its borders and imposed strict control measures, while rejecting donations of vaccines from the Covax program (UN system), Russia and China. The IOC offered guarantees on the safety of the Olympics and proposed appropriate measures, including vaccines, for the arrival of athletes from the North. He would have wiped “Systematic refusals”.
You have 50.69% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.