[ti:North Korea Withdraws From the Tokyo Olympics] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:01.84]The organizers of the Tokyo Olympics recently said fans from outside of Japan [00:08.64]will not be able to attend the Games because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [00:15.28]Now, North Korea, a country that was expected to send athletes to the Olympics, [00:21.48]announced it will not take part in the Games. [00:25.60]North Korea said its National Olympic Committee had a meeting in late March [00:31.60]and decided not to attend in order to keep its athletes from getting sick. [00:38.04]However, a number of international policy experts [00:41.84]think the decision is a way to keep the country closed. [00:46.64]North Korea said it has controlled the spread of COVID-19 by closing its borders, [00:52.80]banning foreign visitors and sending diplomats home. [00:58.36]But those who follow North Korea think that may not be true. [01:04.88]The country already has a weak medical system [01:07.96]because of international economic restrictions [01:11.40]that have limited spending on infrastructure. [01:15.40]Experts say the closed border is making life in North Korea [01:19.48]more difficult than necessary for the average person. [01:24.28]Jean H. Lee directs the North Korean program for The Wilson Center, [01:29.84]an international policy research center in Washington, D.C. [01:35.32]In a tweet, she asked if any other country has announced it would not attend the Olympics. [01:41.96]She called the move "a political decision...as much as it is a public health concern." [01:48.96]A spokesperson for the South Korean foreign ministry [01:52.44]said there is still time for North Korea to reconsider its decision. [01:57.96]Many people thought the 2018 winter Olympics in South Korea [02:03.08]was a chance to renew diplomacy with North Korea. [02:07.72]The closed-off nation sent 22 athletes, government officials, [02:12.76]performers and a 230-member cheering group. [02:18.28]Athletes from both North and South Korea marched under a flag [02:23.04]with a blue map that symbolized a united Korean land. [02:28.44]The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also attended the Games. [02:34.64]Experts say North Korea's presence at the 2018 Games [02:39.28]helped start discussions between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim. [02:46.16]The talks, however, have not restarted for more than one year. [02:51.32]In addition, North Korea recently fired test missiles for the first time in one year. [02:58.68]The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics were delayed because of the coronavirus health crisis. [03:05.80]The Games are scheduled to open on July 23. [03:09.64]I'm Jill Robbins. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM