North Korea’s “Sorry, No Trips” (and a Dose of U.S. Drama) to the Beijing Winter Games
South‑Korean ovens are heating up, but North Korea’s Olympic squad is nowhere to be seen in the shadow‑filled streets of Beijing. The big Korean punch‑line? A letter to China that says, “We’re too busy on the front line of a deadly pandemic and swamped by hostile forces to show up.” And it throws the United States in the mix as the ultimate villain.
What’s Really Going On?
- COVID‑19 & the “hostile forces” game: The DPRK claims the global pandemic and meddling rivals are why the team can’t roll into China. Think of it as a double‑whammy—one that makes people feel stuck in a virus‑lagged, politically tense quarantine.
- Absence of a diplomatic delegation: No mention of diplomats, so the letter focuses solely on athletes. The North Korean Olympic Committee’s message veers toward the sports crowd—no encampments, just a quiet spreadsheet.
- International Olympic Committee lock‑out: The country was suspended until the end of 2022 for skipping the Tokyo Games last year. So even if the folks collected their medals now, they’d still be sidelined by an IOC ban.
- China as the only ally: After a 1961 treaty and growing sanctions from the U.N., anyone begging for trade hinges on the red China flag. Without Beijing’s backing, the North Korean all‑stars have nowhere else to play.
U.S. Anticlimax: The Ultimate Game‑Cheater?
The letter scoffs at U.S. “vassal forces” for whispering—yes, whispered—into what they claim is a “global launch plan” to undermine the Games. The U.S. has voted to boycott the 2022 Winter Games, citing China’s human‑rights record, yet fans can still travel to Beijing. Meanwhile, the U.K., Australia, and Canada joined the “quiet protest” squad, all saying “enough is enough.”
Key Takeaway
The core message is simple: We’re not making a move to Beijing because the pandemic plus Fiery Allies are pulling the strings. But don’t worry, we’re still cheering on our Chinese comrades for a “splendid and wonderful” Olympic celebration.
