HARBIN, China – A North Korean official reacted sharply to South Korean reporters at the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games on February 10th, telling them to "get out of the way" and "don't provoke the athletes."

The incident occurred at the Heilongjiang Ice Training Center in Harbin, where the North Korean figure skating team was holding an official training session. North Korea sent only three athletes to the Games, all in figure skating.

Pairs skaters Ryom Dae-ok and Han Kum-chol were training on the ice when they were approached by South Korean reporters. When the reporters asked the athletes how they were feeling, a North Korean official accompanying them reacted angrily, telling the reporters to "get out of the way" and "don't provoke the athletes."

The official also refused to answer questions about the weather in Harbin, and the athletes remained silent. The North Korean delegation did not conduct interviews in the mixed zone that day.

Later that day, North Korean men's singles skater Ro Yong-myung trained with South Korean skaters Cha Jun-hwan and Kim Hyun-gyeom. He did not interact with the South Korean skaters, and he also declined to speak to reporters after training.

Ryom Dae-ok and Han Kum-chol will compete in the pairs short program on February 11th, and Ro Yong-myung will compete in the men's singles short program on the afternoon of the same day.

The incident highlights the tense relationship between North and South Korea, even in the context of international sporting events.

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