Samsung, the official sponsor of this year's Olympics, provided its special edition "Galaxy Z Flip 6" foldable smartphones to all athletes and personnel participating in the global sporting event including those from North Korea.
The ministry's remarks were prompted by a report from Radio Free Asia, a U.S. non-profit media outlet, which suggested that Samsung phones given to North Korean athletes could breach UN resolutions, as smartphones could potentially be used for military purposes. The resolutions prohibit the lease, direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of all industrial machinery to North Korea.
Ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong emphasized that smartphones fall under the prohibited items listed in the resolutions. "To ensure the resolutions are not breached, it is crucial that they are not brought into North Korea," Lee said, adding that the South Korean government is taking necessary steps. However, he did not specify how the Samsung phones given to North Korean athletes will be managed or what the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s response is.
Meanwhile, 15 Russians are allowed to compete as individual athletes under a neutral flag at the Paris Olympics, following the IOC's ban on Russia and Belarus due to their illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. These countries would face similar UN sanctions that restrict the supply of electronic devices such as smartphones.
The ministry said that whether Samsung and the IOC violated UN sanctions by providing smartphones to Russian athletes is for the IOC to address. The foreign ministry will consult with relevant departments and share information if necessary.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
