Kim Kum-yong and Ri Jong-sik are reportedly undergoing ‘ideological scrutiny’ and may face consequences if they do not denounce the behavior deemed inappropriate.
For many, it was a testament to the power of sports to unite people, even if just for a brief moment, across one of the world's most heavily fortified borders.
However, a celebrated image from the Paris Olympics—a selfie taken by medal-winning table tennis players from both sides of the Korean Peninsula—seems to have landed the North Korean duo in trouble at home.
In a rare display of Korean-style ping-pong diplomacy, South Korean mixed doubles players Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin, along with North Korean pair Kim Kum-yong and Ri Jong-sik, happily posed for a selfie on the podium after receiving their bronze and silver medals at the South Paris Arena last month. The Chinese gold medallists, Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, also joined in the photo.
One of the images from the Paris Olympics was shared on the Games’ official Instagram account, where it garnered hundreds of thousands of likes. People magazine even highlighted it as one of the top 12 moments of sportsmanship from Paris.
However, recent reports suggest that Kim Kum-yong and Ri Jong-sik are now under “ideological scrutiny” in North Korea. According to the Daily NK, a Seoul-based website focusing on North Korean affairs, athletes and members of the North Korean Olympic Committee have been undergoing a month-long “ideological review” since their return in mid-August. This process is reportedly standard for those exposed to life outside the communist state.
The Daily NK also reported that North Korean athletes have been instructed not to interact with competitors from other countries, including South Korea, and were warned that such interactions could lead to punishment. Kim and Ri are said to have been specifically criticized for their “grinning” in the selfie with athletes from a nation described by the regime as its “number one enemy.”
The selfie was taken amid heightened tensions between the Koreas, whose 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce but not a peace treaty. The North has recently protested joint military exercises involving South Korean, US, and Japanese forces, and growing ties between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian president Vladimir Putin have heightened regional concerns.
The exact sanctions Kim and Ri might face remain unclear, and it may depend on how much remorse they express for their actions in Paris. According to the Korea Times, North Korean athletes returning from international competitions undergo a three-stage “ideological review,” which includes self-reflection sessions where they must critique both their own behavior and that of their teammates. Genuine expressions of regret could potentially help them avoid “political or administrative punishments,” though these are not specifically detailed.
Human Rights Watch has criticized the situation, stating that it highlights the North Korean government’s efforts to control behavior beyond its borders. The organization urged the International Olympic Committee to protect athletes from harassment and abuse, as outlined in the Olympic Charter. They emphasized that North Korean athletes should not fear retribution for actions that embody the Olympic values of respect and friendship.
In contrast, other North Korean athletes have faced severe consequences for poor performance. The Daily NK cited the case of the North Korean football team, which was eliminated from the 2010 World Cup after losing all three group matches and conceding 12 goals. The players reportedly endured a six-hour denunciation session for allegedly betraying the country’s ideological struggle, while their coach was assigned to work on a construction site.
We face significant challenges from various sources, including disinformation campaigns, legal threats from powerful entities, and attempts to undermine established science. Yet, we have something powerful on our side: you.
To support our independent journalism, we invite you to enjoy our exclusive digital content, including:
1. Unlimited articles in our app
2. Ad-free reading on all your devices
3. An exclusive newsletter from the Guardian newsroom
4. Fewer requests for support
5. Full access to the Guardian Feast app
Your support is crucial for maintaining open, independent journalism. If you can, please consider a monthly contribution. It only takes a minute to set up and makes a significant impact. Thank you.
0 Comments