Olympics athletes to get perks including phones, but will the North Koreans be allowed to keep them?
Experts say providing the $1,100 Samsung phones could violate UN sanctions that ban the sale of luxury items and electronics with potential ‘dual’ commercial and military use
Seoul — All of the almost 3,000 athletes competing at the upcoming Pyeongchang Winter Olympics are set to get perks including the latest $1,100 Samsung smartphones, top-of-the-range new equipment to take home and sleek Nike uniforms. All except perhaps the 22 athletes from North Korea. Tough international sanctions including travel restrictions and a ban on the sale of luxury goods and sports gear have complicated South Korean Olympics organisers’ efforts to provide their northern neighbours with the same benefits available to other Olympians. For months, South Korean President Moon Jae-in has sought North Korea’s participation in the hopes it will ease tension between the still officially warring nations and prevent the kind of violent incidents which have plagued previous major events hosted by the South. Officials have rolled out the red carpet and are keen to make sure the visits go off without a hitch. North Korean women ice hockey players and their South Korean teammates, who ...
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