North Korea performs diplomatic gymnastics in Olympic comeback

During the 2024 Olympics in Paris, a North Korean gymnast named An Chang-ok captured attention with her friendly demeanor and interactions with athletes from rival nations. On Saturday, as American gymnast Simone Biles competed for her third gold medal, An was seen smiling and waving at the cameras, flanked by her coaches. This event marked a significant moment as it brought together athletes from North Korea, South Korea, and the United States, who typically have a tense relationship. An Chang-ok, who is just 21 years old, even shared a hug with a fellow competitor, showcasing a rare moment of camaraderie for someone from North Korea, where interactions with foreigners are heavily restricted. The decision by North Korea to send athletes to the Olympics has sparked optimism that the country may be slowly opening up after a long period of isolation. This is particularly noteworthy given that North Korea did not participate in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, as the country had closed itself off even more due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Jean H Lee, a former journalist who was the first to open a bureau for the Associated Press in North Korea, described the North's participation in the Paris Games as a 'remarkable' return to the international stage. She emphasized that despite ongoing concerns about North Korea's nuclear ambitions, the athletes are making an effort to engage with the global community. On that day, the gymnasts from North Korea, South Korea, and the US displayed a spirit of sportsmanship, with no signs of hostility among them. An Chang-ok and her teammates managed to secure two silver medals in Paris, surprising many sports commentators who were uncertain about their performance. According to Professor Ramon Pacheco Pardo from King’s College London, winning medals was not the only objective for North Korea. He explained that the country has a long history of using 'sports diplomacy' to demonstrate that it is a normal nation. Athletes are among the few individuals from North Korea who can interact with the outside world without raising suspicion. The support for An Chang-ok was notably different from the enthusiastic cheers for Simone Biles. While Biles received loud applause from the crowd, An only garnered polite appreciation. This disparity was due to the absence of other North Koreans in the audience, as ordinary citizens are not allowed to leave their country. It is also unlikely that anyone in North Korea was watching the Olympics live, as the Games are not broadcasted there. However, John Everard, a former UK ambassador to North Korea, noted that people in Pyongyang would still find out about the Olympic results through various channels. An Chang-ok was part of a delegation of 16 North Korean athletes who traveled to Paris, a city that contrasts sharply with the austere environment of Pyongyang. While some North Korean athletes may have some awareness of the outside world, they likely experienced a culture shock upon arriving in Paris. One of the standout moments of the Games was when a South Korean table-tennis player took a selfie with his North Korean partner, a rare symbol of unity between the two nations. Professor Pacheco Pardo suggested that this selfie was a deliberate message from North Korea, indicating that they do not have an issue with South Korean people, but rather with the South Korean government. This moment was not entirely unexpected, as there have been previous instances of cooperation between North and South Korea in sports, such as when they formed a joint women's ice hockey team during the Winter Olympics. The selfie taken during the Games was one of the few visible interactions between North Korea and the outside world. An was also spotted holding pin-badges, which are popular among international gymnasts. After returning home, North Korean athletes are likely to undergo a rigorous debriefing process to ensure they adhere to the official narrative. While it is a common misconception that athletes who do not win medals face punishment, they may be required to participate in self-criticism sessions. The real consequence of not winning is that they miss out on the benefits associated with victory, such as increased social status and rewards like new homes. It remains to be seen whether this latest approach to sports diplomacy will lead to meaningful discussions between North and South Korea. Although there was a moment of tension when South Korean athletes were mistakenly announced as North Koreans during the opening ceremony, one fan from South Korea expressed hope that seeing athletes from both sides together served as a reminder that they share a common humanity.