In a sign of unity, North and South Korean gymnasts snap friendly selfie
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Although the complaints leading up to the Rio Olympics have been numerous, it is all worth it for moments like this:
Gymnasts Lee Eun-ju of South Korea and Hong Un-jong of North Korea were spotted talking together and even snapped a photo, with Eun-ju flashing the peace sign. "Team North Korea at Olympic Games Rio 2016 isn't the usual segregated, anti-social group. Compared to them at past international games, North Korean athletes look more comfortable and relaxed," Korea Daily observed.
North Korean artistic gymnast Ri Se-gwang was spotted receiving high-fives from Team USA while warming up; North Korean weightlifter Om Yun-chol also took selfies with other teams. And despite their countries technically being at war, South Korea's shooting athlete Hwang Seongeun gave a box of snacks to competitor Jo Yong-suk of North Korea.
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"In the past, North Korean athletes avoided conversation not only with the athletes, but also with the reporters from South Korea. However this summer, they greeted South Korean athletes with more hospitality," Korea Daily wrote.
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
