North Korean table tennis players who faced concerns about punishment for taking selfies with South Korean athletes have been seen training normally. Given the earlier worries that they could end up in a political prison camp in severe cases, their current situation generates significant interest.
On Wednesday, North Korea’s state-run media, Korean Central Television, reported that “workers, athletes, and coaches are vigorously striving to showcase our country’s dignity and honor to the world with gold medals,” featuring footage from the Pyongyang Youth Street Sports Village, including the silver medalists.
Kim Kum Yong remarked, “Participation in last year’s Asian Games and this year’s Olympic competitions against foreign athletes has provided both achievements and valuable lessons. I am training tirelessly for the next international competition.”
During the mixed doubles medal ceremony, Kim Kum Yong and Ri Jong Sik attracted attention by taking a selfie with China’s gold medalists, Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin. Foreign media highlighted this moment as one of the “most impressive scenes” of the Paris Olympics.
However, there are worries that the athletes could face repercussions for violating authorities’ orders to avoid contact with foreign players. A source from Pyongyang revealed last month, “These athletes are undergoing ideological evaluations after returning to Pyongyang. The authorities designated South Korean athletes as the primary enemy, yet they were smiling.”
Despite the potential for severe consequences, it is also possible that the athletes received only minor penalties, as they appeared on television a month after the Olympics concluded.
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