North’s team members remove placards

North Korean cheerleaders and archers yesterday removed four “welcome” placards hung for them in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang province. The placards bore a photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il shaking hands with South Korean President Kim Dae-jung in 2000, and had welcoming messages on them. The 148 cheerleaders and 11 athletes were on the way back to their quarters in Daegu from an archery field. Yecheon residents had hung the placards, which also featured greetings such as “We welcome you, North Korean athlete corps, with brotherly love.” Cheerleaders protested, “How come you dare to get General Kim wet? How come you hang the placards so low?” Some were in tears. North Koreans also took a camera away from a South Korean photojournalist covering the scene and then turned the camera in to the games’ organizing committee. By Hong Gweon-sam / JoongAng Ilbo