North Korea drops out of Tokyo Olympics citing Covid-19, dashing South Korea hopes

People watch a television screen showing a news report about North Korea's decision not to participate in the Tokyo Olympics due to the Covid-19 pandemic

* North's pullout dashes South's hopes for combined team * Blow to plans for joint bid to host the 2032 Games * North's missile tests in March raised tensions North Korea will not join the Tokyo Olympics this year due to coronavirus concerns, the country's sports ministry said on Tuesday, dashing South Korean hopes the Games could be a catalyst to revive stalled peace talks. It will be the first time North Korea has missed a Summer Olympics since it boycotted Seoul in 1988 amid the Cold War. South Korean President Moon Jae-in had hoped the two countries, still technically at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, could field a combined team in Tokyo and rebuild momentum for improved relations.