
North Korea made a restrained, orderly entrance at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Friday.
The North Korean delegation, with male weightlifter Choe Jon-wi as its flagbearer, marched into Maracana Stadium as the 156th country in the “Parade of Nations” as per the Portuguese alphabet.
Choe was followed by Yun Song-bom, the chef de mission, and several other members trailed them, waving their national flag.
They weren’t carrying mobile phones or camcorders to capture the moment, as most other athletes or officials did.
Choe Ryong-hae, the powerful vice chairman of Pyongyang’s State Affairs Commission, rose from his seat to greet the delegation.
North Korea has 31 athletes competing in nine sports here, including weightlifting and judo. It won four golds at the 2012 London Olympics, three from weightlifting, and finished 20th place overall in the medal standing. [Yonhap]