'North Korea' is still an insult; even after breaking a world record and winning gold, the reaction remains hypersensitive... What exactly is going on? [Aichi Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

This is not a one-off incident. At the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, North Korea secured the tournament's first gold medal but sharply criticized reporters for using the term 'North Korea' during the official press conference.

On the 23rd, Li Seong-gum claimed top honors in the women's 49kg weightlifting event at the SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) Promotion Hall in Nagoya, Japan, setting a new world record.

North Korea secured its first gold medal of the tournament in weightlifting, one of its strongest disciplines. Li Seong-gum, the star of women's weightlifting, achieved a third consecutive Asian Games title by lifting 94kg in the snatch, 121kg in the clean and jerk, and a total of 215kg in the final of the women's 49kg category. From her first attempt in the snatch, she was the only participant to successfully lift 90kg after requesting it, then went on to lift 94kg to set a new world record. She had already secured the gold medal with a 116kg clean and jerk early on, but succeeded with 121kg as well, breaking world records in both the clean and jerk and total categories.

During the official press conference for medalists alongside Li Seong-gum, an official from the North Korean delegation cut off a South Korean reporter who mentioned 'North Korea' while asking about her feelings on securing the first gold medal. The official openly expressed displeasure, saying, "Speak properly again." Even when the reporter rephrased the question using 'Joseon' to refer to North Korea, the official refused to answer entirely.

North Korea is highly sensitive about the term 'North Korea.' Before the opening ceremony, the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) held a separate press conference demanding that Japanese media use its official country name.

This is not the first time North Korean officials have objected to South Korean reporters' terminology at international sports press conferences. In May, during the final of the 2025–2026 AFC Women's Champions League (AWCL) held at Suwon Sports Complex, where Naeheongang Women's Football Club defeated Tokyo Verdi 1-0 to win the title, they strongly protested against the domestic media's use of 'North side' and left the press conference mid-session.

At that time, Li Yu-il, head coach of Naeheongang, and his interpreter demanded, "Call us by our proper country name." Player Kim Kyung-myeong also responded sharply, stating, "We are the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." Ultimately, both individuals left without answering further questions. Coach Li Yu-il had previously issued a stern warning during the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games women's football tournament when reporters used 'North side,' saying he would not answer unless they corrected their terminology to 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea.'

In contrast to the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, where North Korea requested the term 'North side' instead of 'North Korea,' it now rejects even that term, insisting exclusively on its official country name and displaying an overtly confrontational stance even in sports settings.

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*This content was translated by AI.