North Korea has decided not to participate in the Beijing 2022 Olympics and Paralympics in response to the United States' attempts to prevent "the successful opening of the Winter Games," state-run media reported Friday.
State media blamed "hostile forces" and the worldwide pandemic for not being able to attend the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing and accused the United States and its allies of trying to prevent the Games' success.
North Korea's Olympic Committee and Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports sent a letter to counterparts in China, including the Beijing Olympics organising committee, expressing their support for the Games despite their absence, KCNA news agency reported.