North Korea's return to the Asian Games in Hangzhou for the first time in five years is set to be controversial, with the country's flag flying everywhere.
North Korea has been banned from flying its flag in all competitions except the Olympics due to doping issues.
Nevertheless, during the official induction ceremony at the Hangzhou Athletes' Village on Nov. 22, the North Korean flag was flown alongside the flags of other countries such as Brunei and Cambodia.
The flag was also flown at the men's table tennis competition, where North Korea faced Japan.
In October 2021, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned North Korea's flag from international competitions, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, saying its anti-doping agency did not meet international standards.
WADA's lifting of the sanction requires corrective measures, including an inspection by an external monitor of the North's anti-doping agency, which has not been possible as the country has closed its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, at the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) World Championships in Kazakhstan in August, North Korea's artificial flag was banned, and some media outlets reported that the organizers did not fly the flags of all participating countries.
With a series of artificial flags being flown at the Asian Games, there are observers that WADA could hold the organizers, including the Asian Olympic Committee (OCA), accountable in some way.
"If we become aware that our measures are not being respected, we will engage with the relevant organizations and work towards redress," WADA said in response to a query, "and if necessary, we will take action against organizations that do not implement our findings," RFA reported.
"North Korea continues to be in non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code," WADA said, adding that "all international federations and major event organizations such as the OCA have been informed of the consequences of North Korea's non-compliance."
While the reasons behind the artificial flag flying have not been confirmed, some observers believe it could be due to North Korea's ties with China, a "blood brotherhood," and North Korea's return to international competition after a five-year absence.
At this point, it seems likely that an artificial flag will be flown at the medal ceremony in direct violation of WADA sanctions. North Korea is considered to be in the medal hunt in several sports, including weightlifting, wrestling, shooting, and boxing. 슬롯