South Korea's gold medalist Yun Ok-hee holds her national flag as bronze medalist Kwon Un Sil of North Korea walks past after the medal ceremony for the women's individual archery finals at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. 2010. (AP Photo/Greg Baker) (Greg Baker - AP)
North Korea's Kwon Un Sil, right, who won the bronze medal, follows South Korean gold medalist Yun Ok-hee as they walk to the medal ceremony for the women's individual archery finals at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. 2010. (AP Photo/Greg Baker) (Greg Baker - AP)
South Korea's Yun Ok-hee, left, who won the gold medal, stands beside North Korea's Kwon Un Sil, who won the bronze medal, as the South Korean anthem is played during the medal ceremony for the women's individual archery finals at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. 2010. (AP Photo/Greg Baker) (Greg Baker - AP)
South Korean gold medalist Yun Ok-hee, center, poses with North Korea's Kwon Un Sil, who won the bronze medal, and China's Cheng Ming, who won silver after the medal ceremony for the women's individual archery finals at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. 2010. (AP Photo/Greg Baker) (Greg Baker - AP)
North Korea's Kwon Un Sil, right, who won the bronze medal, follows South Korean gold medalist Yun Ok-hee as they walk to the medal ceremony for the women's individual archery finals at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. 2010. (AP Photo/Greg Baker) (Greg Baker - AP)
South Korea's gold medalist Yun Ok-hee holds her national flag as bronze medalist Kwon Un Sil of North Korea walks past after the medal ceremony for the women's individual archery finals at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. 2010. (AP Photo/Greg Baker) (Greg Baker - AP)
ALTERNATIVE CROP OF XAG156 - South Korea's gold medalist Yun Ok-hee holds her national flag as bronze medalist Kwon Un Sil of North Korea walks past after the medal ceremony for the women's individual archery finals at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. 2010. (AP Photo/Greg Baker) (Greg Baker - AP)
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By MIN LEE
The Associated Press Tuesday, November 23, 2010; 8:20 AM
GUANGZHOU, China -- Two South and North Korean athletes shook hands and stood side-by-side on the Asian Games medal podium Tuesday as their countries waged a deadly military skirmish.
In the women's individual archery competition, South Korea's Yun Ok-hee won gold, beating Cheng Ming of China in the final, with Kwon Un Sil of North Korea securing the bronze medal.
Yun walked over to Kwon with the South Korean flag draped over her shoulders after winning the competition, and the North Korean gave her a friendly pat on the back.
Kwon, wearing a red team jacket, and Yun, with a multicolored team top, 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 tension on their divided peninsula in a later news conference, where organizers 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."
After the news conference, Yun told South Korea's Yonhap news agency that at least regarding archery, the Korean athletes "have always been on good terms."
"I was hoping Un Sil would reach the gold medal match, and when she ended up in the bronze medal contest, I was cheering for her," Yun said. "In archery, we always say hello to each other and talk to each other. Whatever is happening back home is between the two governments and that doesn't affect us at all."
North and South Korea exchanged artillery fire after the North shelled an island near their disputed sea border. At least two South Korean marines have died, civilians on the island are seeking shelter, and the South says the North may be suffering significant casualties.
Yun walked over to Kwon with the South Korean flag draped over her shoulders after winning the competition, and the North Korean gave her a friendly pat on the back.
Kwon, wearing a red team jacket, and Yun, with a multicolored team top, 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 tension on their divided peninsula in a later news conference, where organizers 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.
After the news conference, Yun told South Korea's Yonhap news agency that at least regarding archery, the Korean athletes "have always been on good terms."
"I was hoping Un Sil would reach the gold medal match, and when she ended up in the bronze medal contest, I was cheering for her," Yun said. "In archery, we always say hello to each other and talk to each other. Whatever is happening back home is between the two governments and that doesn't affect us at all."
North and South Korea exchanged artillery fire after the North shelled an island near their disputed sea border. At least two South Korean marines have died, civilians on the island are seeking shelter, and the South says the North may be suffering significant casualties.
