IOC lifts ban on North Korea, issues Afghanistan with ultimatum

The International Olympic Committee has announced that it will lift the suspension of North Korea's National Olympic Committee (NOC) at the end of the year, while it has expressed “serious concern” over restrictions imposed on women and young girls in Afghanistan.

The IOC suspended North Korea in September last year after its NOC decided not to participate in the Tokyo Olympics. As a result, the accrued financial support that had been due to be allocated was forfeited, while the country was not entitled to benefit from any assistance or programme from the IOC.