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North Korean table tennis athletes are reported to go through a comprehensive ideology review for taking a selfie with South Korean athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The incident occurred on August 1, 2024, when China took home gold in the table tennis tournament, North Korea won the silver, and South Korea won bronze.
According to the report by Daily NK and Allkpop, a negative assessment report has reportedly been submitted, suggesting that the athletes could be disciplined (punished). According to Daily NK, these evaluations are carried out as travel abroad is seen by North Korea as an exposure to "contaminating" non-socialist cultures.
Reportedly, an anonymous source told Daily NK,
"Athletes who had contact with foreign athletes, such as taking selfies, must strongly reflect on their mistakes in self-criticism sessions to avoid future political or administrative punishments."
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On August 21, 2024, reports stated that the North Korean Olympic Committee delegation and athletes had reportedly undergone a thorough ideological evaluation since their return from Paris. The team returned on August 15, 2024.
Speaker and Geopolitics blogger, Cyrus Janssen, posted a picture of the South Korean athletes (in blue) taking a selfie with the North Korean athletes (in red) at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
North Korean players' interaction with others at the 2024 Paris Olympics reportedly faces punishment
On August 1, after the table tennis tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics, a "Victory Selfie" event with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6 featured South Korean, Chinese, and North Korean players on the podium. However, Daily NK reported that the North Korean players Li Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong, who won silver, received a poor evaluation. They were seen smiling during the photo session in the presence of South Korean players.
North Korean athletes usually undergo a three-step ideological review process, which can take up to a month and involves evaluations by the Ministry of Sports, the Central Party, and their own organizations.
From departure to return, the entire procedure is reportedly examined and assessed by the Central Party review. Athletes may be punished if it is discovered that their behavior during the Olympics went against Party policy or instructional initiatives. The evaluation is led by the Central Committee's Propaganda and Agitation section.
Meanwhile, another North Korean athelete, Kim Mi-rae, is reported to be reviewed for taking a selfie with her Chinese competitors at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Kim Mi-rae took home the bronze medal in the women's 10m platform diving event while Chinese athletes Chen Yuxi won gold, and Quan Hongchan won silver.
