After winning bronze medals side-by-side in the women’s 54kg boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Lim Ae-ji (Hwasun County) and Bang Chol-mi (DPRK) became the second North and South Korean pair to share the podium after the table tennis mixed doubles.

Unlike in table tennis, where South Korea’s Lim Jong Hoon (Korea Exchange) and Shin Yubin (Korean Air) won bronze and North Korea’s Ri Jung Sik and Kim Geum Yong (DPRK) won silver, they shared the podium in boxing with identical bronze medals.

But in a symbolic display of frosty inter-Korean relations, they barely spoke to each other throughout the ceremony.

Lim Ae-ji and Bang Chul-mi celebrate their bronze medals at the medal ceremony after the women’s 54-kilogram boxing final at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, on Monday (Sept. 9).

Both boxers had lost their semifinal bouts on April 4 and were awarded the bronze medals just four days after competing.

As they made their way to the podium, Lim Ae-ji greeted the crowd with a big smile, but Bang Chul-mi, who was right behind her, had a stern look on her face.

Their expressions were different when Sochi 2014 speedskating gold medalist Zhang Hong (CHN) came out to present the medals around their necks.

Lim smiled, but Bang’s expression remained unchanged.

Although they did not speak, they exchanged small gestures as they performed the ‘victory ceremony’ on the podium after the medal ceremony.

When Lim hesitated to go up to the highest podium, where gold medalist Chang Yuan was, Bang Chul-mi, who was up first, gestured to Lim.

Her expression didn’t change even then.

The “selfie ceremony,” which has become a symbol of the competition, was performed by Lim.

It was the only time that Lim, who competed for South Korea, and Bang Chol-mi, who represented North Korea, were physically close.

After the ceremony, Lim said in the joint press area, “I didn’t talk to her because I realized she couldn’t speak. I thought it was awkward,” she said, explaining the atmosphere.

“I think it would be rude if I called her ‘sister’ in such an atmosphere. I felt like I shouldn’t have approached her,” he added.

Kim Ho-sang, head coach of the South Korean boxing team, said, “We were the only ones on the bus to get to the awards ceremony. When the North Korean leader looked at me, it seemed like I couldn’t speak,” Kim said. 사설 토토사이트