North Korean Olympian and silver medalist, Kim Kum-yong, could be facing harsh punishment in North Korea for “grinning” in photo.
North Korea’s Kim Kum-yong is under scrutiny for smiling in a victory photo next to South Korean athletes, and his Table-tennis partner, Ri Jong-sik, could face consequences for smiling with the gold medal winners from China and bronze medal winners from South Korea after stepping off the podium.
North Korea is very strict about appearances and the interaction their people have with foreigners. After olympians arrived back home to North Korea, they were not allowed to celebrate with their family, but were sent to undergo a month-long programming session known as a “cleanse,” after their exposure to the foreign world said to be “exposure to contamination.”
North Korean athletes are given special instructions to not interact with South Koreans, Americans, or other foreign athletes at the Olympics. Failure to follow the instructions can result in severe punishment.
North Korean athletes often have their families held hostage to ensure that they do not try to escape while in a foreign country.
