For a so-called "hermit kingdom," North Korea has enjoyed surprising success at the Olympics. And thanks to a thaw in relations with South Korea, the enigmatic state plans to send athletes to the Winter Games in Pyeongchang.
I just noticed that this article did upload to the site. Weird, because when I uploaded it there was an error message that came up about an invalid URL...
I wasn't concerned because I also realized this wasn't really a news story but more of an opinion piece anyway.
What really struck me about North Korea's participation in the Olympics was this part:
A medal of any colour for North Korea at this year's Games is highly unlikely. But if it does happen, it will be highly publicized and celebrated.
"Any sort of victory will obviously be blown out of proportion in North Korea to give greater legitimacy to the government, to show that North Korea is strong and can perform well in international competition," Radchenko says.
In the past, medal winners have been rewarded with luxury apartments. Others aren't always treated as well. Various media reports say losing athletes have been moved to lesser housing or have seen their food rations reduced. Or worse. In 2010, members of the North Korean men's soccer team, who lost to Portugal 7-0 at the World Cup, were reportedly sent to work in coal mines upon their return.
BREAKING NEWS: North and South Korea agree to form their first joint Olympic team and march together in opening ceremony
The two Koreas have agreed to form a combined women's ice hockey team Their athletes will march together under a unified flag at the opening ceremony Both sides held rare talks on Wednesday amid a thaw in inter-Korean ties
I'm not expecting much The history tends to be high hopes for South Korea followed by cynical behavior by the North--playing nice then bombing some fishing vessel in a fit of pique, sort of thing.
I wasn't concerned because I also realized this wasn't really a news story but more of an opinion piece anyway.
What really struck me about North Korea's participation in the Olympics was this part:
A medal of any colour for North Korea at this year's Games is highly unlikely. But if it does happen, it will be highly publicized and celebrated.
"Any sort of victory will obviously be blown out of proportion in North Korea to give greater legitimacy to the government, to show that North Korea is strong and can perform well in international competition," Radchenko says.
In the past, medal winners have been rewarded with luxury apartments. Others aren't always treated as well. Various media reports say losing athletes have been moved to lesser housing or have seen their food rations reduced. Or worse. In 2010, members of the North Korean men's soccer team, who lost to Portugal 7-0 at the World Cup, were reportedly sent to work in coal mines upon their return.
No pressure... it's all about being there right?
No pressure... it's all about being there right?
Not for some countries.
The two Koreas have agreed to form a combined women's ice hockey team
Their athletes will march together under a unified flag at the opening ceremony
Both sides held rare talks on Wednesday amid a thaw in inter-Korean ties
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z54S06HTEx
Hmmm, the sanctions must be working.