- This selfie of athletes from South and North Korea is causing a stir
Since last night, a rare image has been circulating on social media. In the mixed doubles table tennis event, China took gold, North Korea silver, and South Korea bronze. And the young Olympians did exactly what their Western counterparts would have done: they took a selfie. As if the rivalry between the two Korean nations didn't exist, the two countries united in a sporting victory photo.
Politically, things look far less peaceful between the two Korean countries. North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un had previously labeled South Korea as the "biggest enemy" and severed all economic ties a month later. For North Koreans, possessing South Korean films, books, or music is a crime and can even result in execution.
Table tennis unites, but the welcoming mishap had consequences
The friendly image of the athletes after the medal ceremony was surprising, especially given the embarrassing mix-up that occurred on Friday, the opening night of the Olympics: as the South Korean delegation sailed over the Seine on a boat, they were greeted with the official designation for North Korea. The International Olympic Committee has since spoken out on its X-account: "We deeply apologize for the mistake." Furthermore, IOC president Thomas Bach personally apologized to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.
While the South Korean president reportedly felt offended and requested that such a mistake not happen again, the youth of the two divided countries seem to take the situation more lightly. Three Asian countries on the winner's podium certainly give them reason to. Perhaps it is also the youth in Asia who are bridging the mistakes of the older generation. It would be wishful thinking for both countries - and if sport contributes to that, the young winners are acting exactly in the spirit of the Olympic Games: "Open Games" is this year's motto in Paris.
The table tennis victory celebration served as a brief moment of unity, momentarily overshadowing the political tension between South and North Korea. Despite the mix-up at the Olympics opening ceremony, where South Korea was mistakenly referred to as North Korea, the athletes showed sportsmanship and camaraderie on the podium.
