North Korea to punish Table Tennis players for 'smiling' with rivals on Olympic podium

The North Korean table tennis pair of Kim Kum-yong and Ri Jing-sik, who won the silver medal in the mixed team event at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, could face disciplinary action for smiling while clicking a selfie with rivals – the gold medallist Chinese team and third-placed South Korean team at the podium. 

As per a report in The Telegraph, Kim Kum-yong is under scrutiny for smiling during the victory photo with South Korean athletes, whom North Korea consider their fierce rivals.

The photo of athletes from two rival nations clicking selfies and smiling on the Olympic podium went viral on social media, with fans worldwide calling it a ‘beautiful moment in Olympic history.’ 

ALSO READ: Novak Djokovic calls for 'clear protocols' in wake of Jannik Sinner’s doping episode

However, that didn’t sit well with North Korea, where leader Kim Jong Un’s regime strictly controls interactions with neighbours South Korea and others.

Besides, since the team returned home on August 15, they have been subjected to a month-long ‘cleanse’, done on purpose to remove any influence of ‘non-socialist’ culture, per reports in the Daily NK. This process, however, is managed by North Korea’s Ministry of Sport, including a three-stage ideological assessment designed to ensure the athletes align with state-approved values.

The North Korean athletes were asked to avoid any interaction with their South Korean counterparts or athletes from other countries at the Summer Games in Paris. Violation of these directives would lead to punishments, although the degree of penalties remains unclear.

However, historical precedents suggest severe consequences for disobeying orders. 

Earlier, following North Korea’s lacklustre show during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the players were subjected to a six-hour public criticism, while their coach was sent to labour construction. 

(With inputs from agencies)