Samsung Phones for North Korean Athletes May Break Sanctions

— South Korean officials have raised concerns regarding the distribution of Samsung smartphones to North Korean athletes at the upcoming Paris Olympics, citing potential violations of U.N. Security Council sanctions. The sleek Galaxy Z Flip 6 devices, provided by Samsung—an official Olympic partner—are intended for all athletes, but their delivery to North Korean competitors has sparked controversy. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the phones were sent to the Olympic village for North Korean athletes, but details on their subsequent handling remain unclear. According to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry, smartphones fall under the items banned by Security Council Resolution 2397, enacted in 2017, which prohibits the supply of “all industrial machinery” to North Korea. This resolution does not differentiate between the North Korean government and its citizens, leading officials to assert that the smartphones would be considered illegal regardless of their entry method into the country. Ministry spokesperson Lee Jaewoong emphasized the importance of preventing prohibited items from reaching North Korea and indicated that the South Korean government is actively pursuing diplomatic measures to uphold these sanctions. The situation echoes a similar incident during the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, where North Korean athletes declined Samsung devices offered by the organizing committee, under the condition they would be returned after the event. North Korea is sending 16 athletes to compete in seven sports at the Paris Games, including wrestling, swimming, table tennis, and boxing, raising further questions about compliance with international sanctions.