It is Lee's first Olympics, while Hong was the first North Korean female gymnast to win gold, at the 2008 Beijing Games. North Korean medalists often ignored South Korean competitors who extended their hands for handshakes at podiums. "What we are seeing from North Korean athletes in Rio is a result of choreography." North Korea also boycotted the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympics, both held in Seoul. Reconciliation efforts were later put on hold due to North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 12, 2016 09:05 UTC