A defector from North Korea revealed that athletes from the country will spy on each other at the Paris 2024 Olympics to ensure none of them step out of line. There is a monitoring group that records all movements of North Korean competitors. Athletes from the Asian country participated in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics but withdrew from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to concerns over the coronavirus. As a result of their absence, they were banned from participating in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The return of North Korea to the Olympic Games in Paris has raised public interest concerning how far the country has gone to keep athletes isolated from the outside world.
Defector Ji Hyun Park, who lives in Britain, told The Sun that there is a monitoring group among North Korean athletes that records all behaviors and sends reports to the government. Park added that poor performance could lead to severe punishments, with athletes potentially treated like political prisoners. He explained that when the 16 North Korean athletes return home, authorities will ensure their silence about anything they saw in Paris—this is to prevent any bold ideas from spreading among other citizens. He stated, "They will be imprisoned somewhere, and a contract will be signed that they will not reveal anything they saw, heard, ate, or did in France."
Media reports have revealed that North Korean athletes are kept away from the entrance to the Olympic Village for their protection, as they did not participate in the open media day held at the village, and journalists cannot access them. Park added, "Athletes are also closely monitored by security personnel, including secret police." North Korea won a silver medal on Tuesday in the mixed doubles table tennis final.
It is noted that one of the most infamous punishments for athletes occurred after the North Korean football team reached the second round of the 1966 World Cup, with reports suggesting that the players went out for drinks after losing to Portugal 5-3, resulting in fear during their return home. It is claimed that the leader at the time, Kim Il-sung, sentenced the players to one of the worst forced labor camps in North Korea. Recently, it was revealed that athletes and coaches have been subjected to months of hard labor if they disappoint their leader, including the coach of the North Korean team in the 2010 World Cup, who was forced to work in construction after losing to Portugal 7-0.
