Players from South Korea take a selfie together with their North Korean and Chinese counterparts on the podium during the awards ceremony of the mixed doubles table tennis event at the Paris Olympics at South Paris Arena 4 in Paris on July 30, 2024. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – North Korean athletes who participated in the Paris Olympics are reportedly undergoing ideological examinations in Pyongyang after taking selfies with South Korean competitors, according to a report by Daily NK, citing a high-ranking source in the North Korean capital.
The North Korean Olympic Committee delegation and athletes, who returned home on August 15, are currently subject to a month-long ideological review process. This practice is standard for North Korean athletes participating in international events, as foreign travel is considered exposure to “non-socialist culture.”
Of particular concern are the table tennis mixed doubles silver medalists, Ri Jong-sik and Kim Song-i, who were photographed taking selfies with South Korean and Chinese athletes on the medal podium.
Lim Jong-hoon (R) and Shin Yu-bin (2nd from R) of South Korea take a selfie using a Samsung-gifted smartphone with their North Korean and Chinese counterparts on the podium during the awards ceremony of the mixed doubles table tennis event at the Paris Olympics at South Paris Arena 4 in Paris on July 30, 2024. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
A negative evaluation report has allegedly been submitted to the party, criticizing the athletes for smiling in the presence of competitors from South Korea, which North Korea considers its “primary enemy state.”
The athletes had reportedly received special instructions before the Olympics to avoid contact with foreign athletes, especially those from South Korea. Violating these directives could lead to punishment.
Kim Mi-rae, a North Korean diver who won bronze in the women’s 10-meter platform event, also took selfies with Chinese medalists. However, her case may be viewed differently as she appeared to avoid holding the Samsung phone used for the photos, possibly to distance herself from using South Korean technology.
The Daily NK report suggests that the severity of any potential punishment remains uncertain. The athletes may face actual penalties or might conclude the matter with warnings and self-criticism sessions.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
