Photos of Olympic table tennis athletes from North and South Korea sharing a selfie on the medal stand in Paris became a sensation in South Korea on Wednesday, celebrated as an uncommon display of inter-Korean solidarity. This year, North Korea, armed with nuclear weapons, designated the South as its primary foe, and the tensions between the two nations are at a peak not seen in years. However, following South Korea's bronze and North Korea's silver win in the mixed doubles, trailing China, Lim Jong-hoon of South Korea captured a group picture post-ceremony. Smiling broadly into Lim's device, a Samsung phone manufactured in South Korea, were North Korea's Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong, South Korea's Shin Yu-bin, and the triumphant Chinese pair Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha. The daily JongAng Ilbo, a highly circulated newspaper, remarked, "A selfie featuring both Korean national flags and a Samsung phone." It marked the first Olympic podium appearance for North Korea since 2016, as they abstained from sending athletes to the Tokyo Olympics due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I offered my congratulations when they were announced as the Silver medalists," Lim shared with Korean media post-award ceremony. South Korean television networks have been repeatedly airing footage of the selfie, with numerous analysts underscoring the importance of this infrequent instance of unity. "This embodies the genuine essence of the Olympics," commented one analyst.
