Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

North Korean Athletes Demand Proper Name Use at Paris Olympics Press Conference

wikitree Views  

North Korean table tennis players Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong displayed their silver medals during the mixed doubles medal ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympics held at the South Paris Arena 4 in France. / News1

According to a report by Kyunghyang Shinmun this morning, the North Korean delegation at the Paris Olympics interrupted a press conference. It demanded that their country be referred to by its official name.

Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong from North Korea earned silver medals in yesterday’s mixed doubles table tennis. The two players attended the press conference as medalists, attracting significant attention as it marked the first time for North Korean athletes to speak at an official event.

A minor disruption occurred at the start of the press conference as the host introduced North Korea as North Korea instead of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

A representative from the North Korean team interrupted the press conference, demanding, “Please refer to us as DPR Korea.”

Despite a less tense atmosphere than in the past, North Korea insisted on using its official name at international events. According to Kyunghyang Shinmun, the host eventually corrected the term to DPR Korea, resolving the situation.

The issue of country names also caused controversy during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. An announcer mistakenly introduced the South Korean team as North Korea. Although Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), apologized to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol by phone, the incident remains a notable faux pas.

During the press conference, Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong expressed disappointment in winning the silver medal. After losing to China’s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, the top-ranked players in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Kim Kum Yong said, “I feel both happy and disappointed to be competing in my first international event at the Olympics. I could learn a lot playing against the world’s number one team from China.”

wikitree
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments1

300

Comments1

  • Marcus

    They are absolutely right. They deserve the dignity of having their country's name recognized and respected.

[SPORTS] Latest Stories

  • Spieth’s Recovery, Greller’s New Role: What to Watch for at the Sentry Tournament of Champions
  • Shohei Ohtani Targets Back-to-Back World Series Titles with Dodgers in 2025
  • Tiger Woods Named Most Influential Figure in Golf for 2024
  • At Just 20, Nick Dunlap Is Already Making PGA Tour History with Two Big Wins
  • Tiger Woods and Son Charlie Ready to Compete in PNC Championship After Long Hiatus
  • Freddie Freeman’s Historic Grand Slam Ball Sells for $1.56 Million at Auction

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Dining Out While Dieting: 10 Healthy Restaurant Meals You Can Enjoy

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    How Real People Shaped Disney’s Most Beloved Animated Characters

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    Why Olive Oil is the Ultimate Wellness Food You Shouldn't Overlook

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Is Barefoot Walking the Secret to Better Circulation and Less Stress?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Actress Swears by Morning Saltwater—Doctors Say Don’t Overdo It

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Sweet and Salty? Tastes Great, But Here's What It's Doing to Your Body

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Yogurt: Diet Savior or Sneaky Saboteur? Here's What You Should Know

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Blackberries vs. Raspberries: Which Berry Is the Low-Calorie King?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Why Some People Gain Weight on Salads—and Others Don’t

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    This Vitamin Could Help You Fight Fatigue, Infections, and More

    LIFESTYLE 

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Dining Out While Dieting: 10 Healthy Restaurant Meals You Can Enjoy

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    How Real People Shaped Disney’s Most Beloved Animated Characters

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    Why Olive Oil is the Ultimate Wellness Food You Shouldn't Overlook

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Is Barefoot Walking the Secret to Better Circulation and Less Stress?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Actress Swears by Morning Saltwater—Doctors Say Don’t Overdo It

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Sweet and Salty? Tastes Great, But Here's What It's Doing to Your Body

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Yogurt: Diet Savior or Sneaky Saboteur? Here's What You Should Know

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Blackberries vs. Raspberries: Which Berry Is the Low-Calorie King?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Why Some People Gain Weight on Salads—and Others Don’t

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    This Vitamin Could Help You Fight Fatigue, Infections, and More

    LIFESTYLE 

Share it on...