North Korea Hosts National Winter Games, Skipping the Olympics
North Korea has launched its national winter games, emphasizing its isolation in international sports. This event commenced in Samjiyon, located near the Chinese border. The country is not participating in the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics due to failure to qualify.
Details of the National Winter Games
The games feature over 50 events divided across five winter sports. These sports include:
- Ice Hockey
- Figure Skating
- Skiing
- Short Track Speed Skating
- Snowboarding
North Korea’s absence from the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics highlights its limited participation in global sports events. The nation was previously suspended from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after missing the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
North Korea’s Winter Olympic History
Historically, North Korea has achieved notable success in winter sports. Its Winter Olympic legacy includes:
- A silver medal in women’s speed skating in 1964
- A bronze in short-track speed skating in 1992
Kim Jong Un’s government has targeted infrastructural improvements in Samjiyon. This area is crucial for the leader’s vision of boosting tourism linked to the culturally significant Mount Paektu.
As North Korea continues with its national winter games, it illustrates the ongoing challenges the regime faces in the global sports arena.
