North Korean Athletes Under Investigation for Selfie with South Korean Competitors at the Paris Olympics
Hyderabad: The actions of North Korean table tennis athletes RJ Jong-Sik and Kim Kum-Yong during the Paris Olympics have drawn scrutiny from their homeland’s authorities, as they are currently being investigated for allegedly breaching state-imposed social norms. Their celebratory photographs with South Korean athletes subsequent to their victory have ignited a considerable controversy within North Korea.
As reported by the Telegraph, the athlete Kim Kum-Yong is reportedly facing significant backlash for exhibiting a smile alongside competitors from South Korea, a nation regarded as a rival by the North. Moreover, Jong-Sik, Kim’s partner, may also be subject to disciplinary measures following this incident. The images, which rapidly gained viral attention, showcased the North Korean athletes posing for a selfie with the gold medal winners from China and the bronze medalists from South Korea immediately after the podium ceremony—a gesture that has not been well-received by the North Korean regime.
The regime, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, exercises stringent control over interactions with foreign entities. An article from Daily NK reveals that both athletes are currently undergoing an “ideological evaluation,” a procedure instituted by North Korea’s Ministry of Sport. This evaluation follows a three-phase ideological assessment designed to ensure the adherence of the athletes to state-sanctioned values and ideologies.
It was explicitly mandated that the North Korean players refrain from engaging with South Korean or other international athletes during the Olympic events. The contravention of these established regulations is anticipated to invoke severe penalties, although the specific nature of such punishment remains unspecified at this time. Historical precedents, such as the public reprimand of North Korean football players following a lackluster performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, illustrate that punitive measures may be quite harsh; in that instance, players were subjected to a prolonged public criticism event, while their coach faced labor in construction.
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