North Korean Olympic Athletes Denied Gifts from Samsung that Every Other Team Got

The Paris 2024 Olympics has been a stage for incredible athletic performances and moments of international unity. However, the North Korean Olympic team found itself at the center of controversy when it was revealed that they would not be receiving the Samsung smartphones given to every other team. Samsung, a major sponsor of the Olympics, had offered complimentary phones with foldable screens to all participating athletes. These phones, unavailable in iPhones, were a significant gesture of goodwill and technological prowess. Yet, due to UN sanctions, the North Korean athletes were excluded from this gift.

The South Korean government clarified that providing North Korean athletes with Samsung phones could violate UN sanctions imposed on North Korea. These sanctions, in place since 2006 due to North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs, have only tightened over the years. The South Korean government is collaborating with the international community to ensure these sanctions are fully implemented. This situation underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the impact of international policies on sports diplomacy.

North Korea’s isolation is further highlighted by their military advancements. Recently, the North Korean military boasted about new weaponry, including a missile capable of carrying a 4.5-ton warhead. In response, South Korea is preparing countermeasures, including advanced ‘Star Wars’ laser defense systems, making it the first country to deploy such technology. This military posturing adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relations between the two Koreas.

This is not the first time North Korean athletes have been denied Samsung devices. During the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, North Korean athletes refused to accept Samsung phones offered under the condition they be returned before leaving. The North Korean regime likely views accepting these phones as a violation of their principles, reflecting the country’s heavily restricted and isolated stance, even in international sporting events.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that North Korean athletes did not receive Samsung smartphones at the Paris Games. Samsung provided these phones to all 10,500 competitors to keep as a memento. However, the South Korean foreign ministry highlighted that smartphones are banned items under UN resolutions due to their dual-use nature in civilian and military applications. This ban applies regardless of how the phones enter North Korea, emphasizing the stringent enforcement of these sanctions.

The North Korean Olympic team consists of 14 athletes competing in seven sports at the Paris Olympics. Despite their participation, they remain under the shadow of international sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The North Korean athletes’ exclusion from receiving Samsung phones is a stark reminder of the broader geopolitical landscape influencing their presence at the Games.

North Korea’s return to the Olympics after an eight-year hiatus marks a significant moment. Previously suspended for withdrawing from the Tokyo Games, the sanction was lifted, allowing them to compete in Paris. Their participation is not just about winning medals but also about rebuilding trust with the Olympic family and competing under their preferred name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Olympics serve as one of the few platforms for North Korea to engage with the global community, given their diplomatic isolation.

The IOC has been a crucial partner for North Korea, providing funding for sports development through the Olympic Solidarity Programme. These funds were halted during North Korea’s suspension, making the Paris Olympics an opportunity to restore their relationship with the IOC and secure much-needed support. Increasing their presence and influence in the IOC is seen as a way to improve North Korea’s international standing.

A former North Korean athlete, Chang Ung, served as an elected member of the IOC for over two decades, maintaining a link between North Korea and the international sports community. His retirement left a gap in North Korea’s sports diplomacy, which the current Minister of Sport, Kim Il-guk, may fill. Kim Il-guk has been active in promoting North Korea’s interests within the IOC, including signing the Olympic Korean Peninsula Declaration and welcoming IOC President Thomas Bach to Pyongyang in 2018.

Despite their return to the Olympic stage, North Korean weightlifters have not participated in the Paris Olympics. Weightlifting is a significant strength for North Korea, but allegations of doping may have caused their absence. North Korean weightlifters have not undergone doping tests since 2019 and did not participate in Olympic qualifier competitions, voluntarily forfeiting their spots in Paris. This situation reflects the ongoing challenges North Korea faces in maintaining its sporting reputation.

Russia, a close ally of North Korea, plans to host the World Friendship Games in 2025, presenting a potential conflict for North Korea. The IOC has warned against politicizing international sports, putting North Korea in a dilemma between maintaining their relationship with Russia and not angering the IOC. The resolution of this situation will become clearer in the coming months as North Korea navigates its complex international relationships.

The issue of Samsung phones for North Korean athletes highlights the broader political complexities surrounding their participation in international events. The fate of the missing Samsung phones intended for North Korean athletes remains unknown, adding another layer of mystery to this situation. As the Paris Olympics continue, the focus remains on ensuring the thorough implementation of UN sanctions and navigating the intricate web of international diplomacy.

The 2022 Winter Olympics will proceed without North Korean representation due to their previous actions, emphasizing the ongoing impact of their diplomatic isolation. The situation with the Samsung phones serves as a microcosm of the larger geopolitical tensions and the challenges North Korea faces in engaging with the international community. As the world watches the Olympic Games, the story of the North Korean athletes and the Samsung phones offers a poignant reminder of the intersection between sports and politics.