During the Paris Olympics, a selfie taken by medal-winning table tennis players from South and North Korea went viral and was praised for symbolizing unity. However, the North Korean athletes, Kim Kum-yong and Ri Jong-sik, have reportedly faced backlash back home for the photo. The athletes have been placed under “ideological scrutiny” and are undergoing a month-long “ideological scrubbing” for interacting with competitors from other countries, including South Korea. The selfie has been seen as a betrayal by the North Korean regime, which considers South Korea its “number one enemy”. The athletes could potentially face sanctions depending on their level of remorse. Reports of North Korean athletes facing punishment for underperforming in international competitions highlight the government’s control over their behavior. Human Rights Watch has called on the International Olympic Committee to protect athletes from harassment and abuse. The situation demonstrates the North Korean government’s efforts to control behavior beyond its borders. The athletes’ actions at the Olympics were seen as embodying the values of respect and friendship, and they should not fear retribution for their actions. The case of the table tennis players is just one example of the challenges faced by North Korean athletes in balancing their achievements abroad with the expectations of their repressive regime.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
North Korean table tennis players facing punishment for taking Olympic podium selfie with South Korean rivals
