Korean archers shake off border dispute

Kwon,wearing a red team jacket,and Yun,with a multicolored team top,both stood with their hands behind their backs before the medals were presented. But when Yun was introduced to the crowd,she stopped to shake hands with Kwon before proceeding to get the gold medal.

Neither athlete wanted to comment on the political tension on their divided peninsula in a later news conference,where organisers tried to restrict questions. Yun said she didn’t care about the political tension and declined to answer questions,saying “We are supposed to get questions relevant to the competition only.”

Kwon said she didn’t know anything about the skirmish. “I just try to do my best in my performance. I don’t pay attention to,or care about the situation,” Kwon said through a translator. “My goal at this Asian Games,and my only goal,was to win the gold medal.

“It is not only for my own aspirations but also for our great leader.”

Seoul claimed that North Korea shot dozens of rounds of artillery onto a populated South Korean island near their disputed western border earlier Tuesday,reportedly killing a marine and injuring 13 people. South Korea said it returned fire and scrambled fighter jets in response.

There was no evidence of animosity between the delegations at the archery range as competition progressed. After she’d won the bronze medal playoff,Kwon and her coach spent time in the same rest area and exchanged greetings with two South Korean team officials.

During the playing of the South Korean national anthem,the flags of both countries were raised side by side. Yun pulled out a large South Korean flag after the anthem was played and held it in outstretched arms in front of a group of South Korean fans. At a later photo opportunity,Kwon didn’t appear to mind standing beside Yun as she held up a South Korean flag for the cameras.

Manuel Silverio,the Olympic Council of Asia’s media committee chairman,said he was pleased to hear the archers react in such a positive way and urged athletes from both sides to remain at the games.