North Korea announced that it will not take part in the Tokyo Olympics this summer. Publicized on April 5 following a decision taken at a meeting of the DPRK Olympic Committee, the North described the decision not to participate in Japan as a way to “protect players from the world public health crisis caused by COVID-19.”

But there is more to it. The decision to withdraw from Tokyo was taken at the highest levels, and coordinated for political impact. The policy goals transcend infectious disease management. 

Wise Move, or Overreaction?

Arguably, the withdrawal is