Japanese customs officers on Tuesday confiscated North Korean table tennis players’ belongings, including souvenirs and equipment, at Narita International Airport, local media has reported.

The Sankei newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, reported on Tuesday that Japanese customs inspectors confiscated souvenirs and table tennis equipment – purchased in Japan – from 13 North Korean players at a special security check.

The players had participated in the World Team Table Tennis Championships starting April 28 and ending Monday in Tokyo, the newspaper reported, and were leaving Japan for Beijing en route to Pyongyang.

The North Korean women’s ping-pong team finished eighth in