Moon's plan to revive peace initiative through Tokyo Games faces hitch
时间:2024-09-23 08:29:35 来源:American news
This Feb. 16 aerial photo shows the National Stadium in Tokyo, a venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics. AP-Yonhap |
By Nam Hyun-woo
President Moon Jae-in's bid to take the Tokyo Olympic Games as an opportunity to revive the peace initiative toward North Korea is facing uncertainties, as the sporting event appears to be losing steam on Japan's decision to bar overseas spectators.
Moon has been successful in using the Olympic Games as a tool to draw North Korea out for talks with not only South Korea but also the U.S. Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, visited the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, leading to a series of inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korea summits later that year.
Experts said Monday, however, that could not be the case for the Tokyo Games, as the event is losing steam by shutting its doors to visitors from overseas and the Moon administration is too optimistic about North Korea's preparedness to send its athletes to compete amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tokyo Games organizers said, Saturday, that overseas visitors will not be allowed to attend the event due to concerns over the pandemic.
This comes as a blow to the Moon administration's bid to use the Games as an opportunity to revive dialogue with the North.
During his speech on the March 1 Independence Movement Day, Moon said the Tokyo Olympics could be a chance for dialogue between the two Koreas, the U.S. and Japan, and Seoul would cooperate for the success of the Tokyo Olympics.
Before Moon's remark, Rep. Kim Jin-pyo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said in November that Japan was willing to invite North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to the Olympics should Kim show a favorable reaction to participating. Prior to that, former U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien also said, during his talks in October with Suh Hoon, the chief of the presidential National Security Office, that there may be a chance to resume denuclearization talks with North Korea during the Summer Games.
As to Tokyo's decision, a Cheong Wa Dae official said barring overseas spectators is "an anticipated outcome" given the COVID-19 situation in Japan, and the government will "continue making efforts toward peace on the Korean Peninsula." The official said, however, that nothing has been determined over making a joint entrance of South and North Korean athletes or forming a joint team.
Kim Yo-jong, right, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, waits for the start of a women's hockey game at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, South Korea, Feb. 10, 2018. AP-Yonhap |
Though Cheong Wa Dae downplayed Tokyo's decision, experts said the chances of resuming talks with the North during the Games have become slimmer.
"It seems difficult to have talks with North Korea after the decision," said Yoon Kang-ro, president of the International Sport Diplomacy Institute. "Japan is requesting each state to limit the size of delegations for heads of state and governments. Under this situation, there seem to be physical setbacks hampering proper talks with key figures involved."
NHK reported Sunday that Japan is requesting each state to limit the size of delegations to a maximum of 12 for a head of state, and five for a Cabinet member.
Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Center for North Korean Studies at Sejong Institute, also said the situation with the Tokyo Games is unfolding differently from the Moon government's anticipation, which was "too optimistic."
"There are still questions whether North Korea can join the Games," Cheong said. "Since last year, North Korea has been closing its borders due to COVID-19 and it is uncertain whether the reclusive state has a proper treatment or vaccination program. Against this backdrop, it seems too optimistic to assume that North Korea will send its athletes or any other delegation to Tokyo."
Cheong added that the Moon government's tactic of building on light issues ― such as sports ― to address tougher issues ― such as denuclearization ― was effective once during the PyeongChang Winter Games, but there is no guarantee that the same strategy will work again this time.
"Kim Yo-jong recently made another denunciation over a South Korea-U.S. combined military exercise, and the Moon government's response should be aimed at addressing this, not sports," Cheong said. "This may result in the North thinking that it cannot carry on conversations with the Moon administration."
-
PS5 Pro: It looks like a sketch of the design just leaked2小时30分12秒,“清马”全马首位选手冲线[Graphic News] Cigarette sales fall for 1st time in 4 years in 2023禁毒宣传进社区 防毒意识入民心微视频广东:在推进中国式现代化建设中走在前列YouTube demonetizes public domain 'Steamboat Willie' video after copyright claimWhy is the internet crazy for the Rabbit R1?Spacecraft looks like a 'Star Wars' ship. It just crashed into Earth.NYT mini crossword answers for August 29Best iPad deal: The iPad Mini is under $530 at Amazon
上一篇:Slot extends perfect Liverpool start
下一篇:[LLG] When compassion meets law: Lawyer defends goats, dogs, other helpless animals
下一篇:[LLG] When compassion meets law: Lawyer defends goats, dogs, other helpless animals
相关内容
- ·How to unblock Xnxx for free
- ·Yoon says trainee doctors' collective actions 'cannot be tolerated'
- ·CTBTO chief urges N. Korea to take 'small step' in nuclear test moratorium
- ·Seoul urged not to give up on abductees in North Korea
- ·CeeDee Lamb secures record
- ·YouTube bests Netflix, Disney+ as the top streamer of 2023
- ·清溪古城 隐身岁月长河的古道重镇
- ·Watch Apple's first ad for the Vision Pro
- ·The AI stock bubble has burst. Here's how we know.
- ·Better sleep deal: Get a Philips SmartSleep Wake
- ·What TechSpot Writers Want in Windows 10
- ·YouTube bests Netflix, Disney+ as the top streamer of 2023
- ·11 Telescopes Exploring The Magic of Space
- ·7 Destinations for a Different Kind of Oregon Trail
- ·5 wild, jaw
- ·Best Segway deal: Pre
最新内容
- ·科创筑梦树立远大志向 蓄势赋能培养科技人才
- ·AI George Carlin releases comedy special that Carlin would've despised
- ·Watch Apple's first ad for the Vision Pro
- ·What TechSpot Writers Want in Windows 10
- ·11 Telescopes Exploring The Magic of Space
- ·Best iPad deal: The iPad Mini is under $530 at Amazon
- ·Tennessee vs. TAMU basketball livestreams: Game time, streaming deals
- ·No detection of suspected bombing attack near Pyongyang: Spy agency
- ·LG Display starts production of advanced OLED displays for gaming
- ·Switching Away From Outlook or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Gmail
推荐内容
热点内容
- ·Best Labor Day headphones deals: Apple, Bose, Beats, and more on sale
- ·Best iPad deal: The iPad Mini is under $530 at Amazon
- ·Impeached ex
- ·Korea had over 100 quakes above magnitude 2.0 in 2023: KMA
- ·Nvidia GeForce Now Ultimate vs. New Graphics Card
- ·禁毒宣传进社区 防毒意识入民心
- ·CTBTO chief urges N. Korea to take 'small step' in nuclear test moratorium
- ·The World's Most Unusual Displays of Neon
- ·Newborns hit new low, but births to those unmarried reach record high: data
- ·Korea had over 100 quakes above magnitude 2.0 in 2023: KMA