Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Olympic Edition smartphones for North Korean Olympians could violate UN sanctions

Samsung, a leading sponsor of the Olympic Games, gave 17,000 Galaxy Z Flip 6 Olympic Edition smartphones to the participants of the Olympic Games in Paris. Each athlete received one unit of the latest foldable phone. However, there was a problem with North Korea. If athletes from that country take the donated smartphones home, it could inadvertently violate international sanctions against North Korea.

Here's What We Know

The South Korean government has said that North Korea's receipt of the phones could violate UN sanctions. North Korea's National Olympic Committee collected the phones on behalf of its athletes, but it is unclear whether they received them personally. South Korean authorities cite UN Security Council Resolution 2397, which prohibits the shipment of industrial equipment to North Korea, including smartphones.

To avoid violating the sanctions, South Korea has been in talks with French authorities and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to return the phones. However, the IOC said North Korea's National Olympic Committee is not obliged to return the smartphones and Samsung will not be held responsible for their distribution. A South Korean ministry spokesperson said Samsung is providing the phones as part of a sponsorship agreement and the final decision rests with the IOC.

Source: The Korea Herald