By Choi Ha-young
For the first time in 10 years, North Korea did not take part in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), after a participating student's defection to South Korea during last year's competition.
This year, North Korean students didn't appear at the contest held from July 12 to 23 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"There could be diverse reasons. Maybe the team is underprepared or possibly affected by the student's defection last year," Voice of America quoted Pyongyang University for Science and Technology Chancellor Park Chan-mo as saying, Wednesday.
In July last year, a student named Ri Jong-yol left the contest venue, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology campus, alone and sought asylum at the South Korean Consulate in Hong Kong. Following the incident, only five of six North Korean participants went back to the reclusive country.
Then 18-year-old Ri clinched silver medals at the IMO three years in a row from 2014, according to the competition organizer's website. After he entered the consulate, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) showed his picture and name.
In September last year, Ri reportedly arrived in the South after 80 days in the consulate under the protection of South Korean officials. Earlier this year, the SCMP reported, citing unnamed diplomatic sources, that Ri decided to leave the North as his father encouraged him to do so.
Pyongyang used to send its students to the competition every year beginning in 2007. Last year, the team came in sixth with two gold medals and four silver medals. The nation's best record was fourth place in 2015 with three gold medals and three silver.
In the latest competition organized in Brazil, South Korea was ranked first, garnering six gold medals, followed by China and Vietnam.
For the first time in 10 years, North Korea did not take part in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), after a participating student's defection to South Korea during last year's competition.
This year, North Korean students didn't appear at the contest held from July 12 to 23 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"There could be diverse reasons. Maybe the team is underprepared or possibly affected by the student's defection last year," Voice of America quoted Pyongyang University for Science and Technology Chancellor Park Chan-mo as saying, Wednesday.
In July last year, a student named Ri Jong-yol left the contest venue, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology campus, alone and sought asylum at the South Korean Consulate in Hong Kong. Following the incident, only five of six North Korean participants went back to the reclusive country.
Then 18-year-old Ri clinched silver medals at the IMO three years in a row from 2014, according to the competition organizer's website. After he entered the consulate, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) showed his picture and name.
In September last year, Ri reportedly arrived in the South after 80 days in the consulate under the protection of South Korean officials. Earlier this year, the SCMP reported, citing unnamed diplomatic sources, that Ri decided to leave the North as his father encouraged him to do so.
Pyongyang used to send its students to the competition every year beginning in 2007. Last year, the team came in sixth with two gold medals and four silver medals. The nation's best record was fourth place in 2015 with three gold medals and three silver.
In the latest competition organized in Brazil, South Korea was ranked first, garnering six gold medals, followed by China and Vietnam.
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