North Koreans can be punished for Olympic selfie

The North Korean table tennis pair Ri Jong-Sik and Kum Kum-Yong may be punished for a selfie taken on the podium during the Olympic Games in Paris.

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North Koreans can be punished for Olympic selfie
Photo: Petros Giannakouris/AP/TT

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Ri Jong-Sik and Kum Kum-Yong took silver in the mixed tournament and then posed for a selfie with their Chinese and South Korean rivals on the podium.

The selfie gained attention worldwide as one of the highlights of the games.

But not in North Korea.

The Daily NK newspaper cites North Korean sources saying that the pair now risk punishment. All North Korean athletes competing internationally are judged on their behavior abroad when they return home, the newspaper writes.

And smilingly taking a selfie with competitors from South Korea – North Korea's number one enemy – is crossing the line.

According to the newspaper, athletes who have misbehaved abroad have previously been punished with several months of unpaid community service.

Daily NK is based in South Korea and reports on events in North Korea thanks to sources in the closed country.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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