North Korea withdraws from World Cup, but may still attend Beijing Olympics



News North Korea withdraws from World Cup, but may still attend Beijing Olympics North Korea likely abandoned soccer tournament due to high COVID-19 risk and low political incentive, experts say Jeongmin Kim May 17, 2021 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON NK News \| Kim Il Sung Stadium, 2018 (file photo) North Korea officially withdrew from the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup 2023, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed on Sunday, eliminating a potential opportunity to resuscitate inter-Korean sports diplomacy. Earlier this month, NK News reported that the DPRK indicated it would not participate in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers scheduled for next month in Seoul, citing COVID-19 concerns. South Korea’s unification ministry on Monday said that North Korea’s decision was now “final.” North Korea officially withdrew from the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup 2023, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed on Sunday, eliminating a potential opportunity to resuscitate inter-Korean sports diplomacy. Earlier this month, NK News reported that the DPRK indicated it would not participate in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers scheduled for next month in Seoul, citing COVID-19 concerns. South Korea’s unification ministry on Monday said that North Korea’s decision was now “final.” Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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North Korea withdraws from World Cup, but may still attend Beijing Olympics

North Korea likely abandoned soccer tournament due to high COVID-19 risk and low political incentive, experts say

Jeongmin Kim May 17, 2021

North Korea withdraws from World Cup, but may still attend Beijing Olympics

NK News | Kim Il Sung Stadium, 2018 (file photo)

North Korea officially withdrew from the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup 2023, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed on Sunday, eliminating a potential opportunity to resuscitate inter-Korean sports diplomacy.

Earlier this month, NK News reported that the DPRK indicated it would not participate in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers scheduled for next month in Seoul, citing COVID-19 concerns. South Korea’s unification ministry on Monday said that North Korea’s decision was now “final.”

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North Korea withdraws from World Cup, but may still attend Beijing Olympics

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