Samsung Gave Away Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition to Paris 2024 Olympians Except for this Country
We reported last month about Samsung releasing an Olympic Edition of the Samsung Galaxy Flip6 which were given to all athletes who competed at the recent Paris Olympics and the upcoming Paralympics. Athletes were ecstatic upon receiving their special edition phones, sharing their unboxing experiences on social media. Even two-time Gold Medalist Carlos Yulo used the Flip6 to take a selfie with his fellow medalists at the winner’s podium.
Seems all athletes, whether they won a medal or not, were already winners on receiving these nice perks from Samsung. Well, except for one country – North Korea.
Why can’t they have the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition?
Actually, Samsung originally planned to include North Korean athletes as recipients of the smartphone. However,, South Korean officials explained that giving them the phones would violate UN sanctions on the hermit kingdom. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2397 in 2017 states “ban on the supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK of all industrial machinery, transportation vehicles, iron, steel and other metals with the exception of spare parts to maintain DPRK commercial civilian passenger aircraft currently in use.” Smartphones are included in the banned list.
The Korean War divided the North and South Koreans from 1950-1953. An armistice was signed between the two countries, though North Korea continued to threat South Koreans with nuclear warfare.
If they were able to bring home the Galaxy Z Flip6 back to North Korea, it is highly unlikely they will be able to use them. They have their own internet network, and their government restricts a lot of their apps and information they consume.
Approximately 10,714 athletes received their Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition phones. North Korea was represented by 16 athletes who competed in swimming, table tennis, boxing and wrestling.
