Activists call for efforts to protect North Korean Olympians after viral selfie | NK News
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October 06, 2026Oct 06, 2026

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Activists call for efforts to protect North Korean Olympians after viral selfie

But experts cast doubt on rumors that athletes face punishment for taking photos with South Koreans

A global human rights organization has urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to protect North Korean athletes, amid rumors that they may be punished for taking viral selfies with South Korean rivals at the Paris Olympics.

In a statement released this week, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the IOC has a responsibility to shield athletes from “all forms of harassment and abuse” under the Olympic Charter, urging the committee to discourage the participation of “repressive states” like the DPRK.

HRW referenced reports that North Korean athletes may be punished for a selfie featuring both Koreas’ table tennis mixed doubles medalists