North Korean athletes who took “selfies” with South Korean athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics are now undergoing intense ideological inspections back home, according to reports from Daily NK, a news outlet focused on North Korea.
These inspections, which began shortly after the athletes returned to Pyongyang on August 15, are part of a standard process for North Koreans who participate in international events. North Korea’s ruling regime closely monitors its citizens’ behavior abroad to ensure they do not engage in activities that might expose them to what the regime calls “contaminating” foreign influences.
The current review is being led by the Central Party’s sports department, which is part of the Propaganda and Agitation Department. This department is responsible for ensuring that all athletes strictly adhere to the Party’s directives during their time overseas. Any behavior that the Party deems inappropriate or disloyal can result in severe punishment.
Before leaving for the Olympics, the athletes were reportedly instructed to avoid interacting with foreign athletes, especially those from South Korea. However, during the Games, some North Korean athletes took part in a “Victory Selfie” program, where medalists could take selfies on the podium using Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 Olympic Edition phones.
Among those under scrutiny are Li Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong, who won silver in mixed doubles table tennis. They were seen taking selfies with South Korea’s bronze medalists, Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin, as well as China’s gold medalists, Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha. While these moments were celebrated globally as examples of sportsmanship and unity, North Korean authorities are reportedly unhappy with the athletes’ actions.
A source in Pyongyang revealed that a negative report has been submitted to the Central Party, criticizing Li and Kim for smiling during the selfies. The report stated that they “smiled excessively” even though they were in the presence of South Korean athletes, whom North Korean propaganda routinely describes as the “number one enemy state.” This behavior is seen as a serious violation of the Party’s instructions.
Another athlete, Kim Mi-rae, who won a bronze medal in the women’s 10m platform diving event, also took selfies with athletes from other countries, including Chinese silver and gold medalists. However, unlike her table tennis teammates, she did not hold the phone herself, letting the Chinese athletes do so instead. This small action might help her avoid harsher penalties, as she was seen as trying to follow the Party’s guidelines more closely.
As the ideological inspections continue, it is still unclear what consequences the athletes might face. They could receive anything from a warning to more severe political or administrative punishments. According to the source, the athletes will likely be required to engage in self-criticism sessions, where they must reflect on their “mistakes” in front of their peers to avoid further repercussions.
This situation highlights the strict control that the North Korean regime exerts over its citizens, even when they are abroad, and the tension between the country’s rigid policies and the unpredictable nature of international interactions.
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