FOCUS: N. Korea's absence at Olympics seen to extend diplomatic deadlock

North Korea's decision to sit out the Tokyo Olympics this summer due to COVID-19 fears will likely prolong the diplomatic deadlock with neighboring Japan and South Korea and could delay the resumption of denuclearization talks with the United States.The announcement on a website run by North Korea's sports ministry on Tuesday is a lost opportunity for a breakthrough in Tokyo's efforts to secure the return of citizens abducted by Pyongyang in the 1970s and 1980s.North Korea's participation in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games in South Korea, with leader Kim Jong Un's sister visiting as a spe…READ FULL ARTICLE