North Korean Athletes Denied Samsung Phones at Paris 2024 Olympics

North Korean athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics have not received Samsung smartphones given to all other competitors. The IOC confirmed this, citing U.N. sanctions on North Korea. These sanctions, originally imposed due to North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, include bans on dual-use products like smartphones.

North Korean team members have not received Samsung smartphones provided for free to all athletes at the Paris 2024 Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed on Thursday.

The South Korean electronics giant, a leading IOC sponsor, is giving smartphones to all 10,500 competitors, which they are allowed to keep post-Games. The IOC spokesperson stated, 'We can confirm that the athletes of the National Olympic Committee of DPRK have not received the Samsung phones.'

Earlier, South Korea's Foreign Ministry highlighted U.N. sanctions against North Korea as a possible reason. North Korea, under U.N. sanctions since 2006 for ballistic missile and nuclear programs, faces bans on dual-use products, including smartphones. 'Paragraph 7 of Resolution 2397 (2017) prohibits the direct or indirect supply, sale, and transfer of all industrial machinery to North Korea, and smartphones fall under this category,' the ministry said. The government is continuing diplomatic efforts for thorough enforcement of these resolutions.

According to Games organizers, 14 North Korean athletes are competing in the Paris Olympics in seven different sports.

(With inputs from agencies.)