The Asian Games revealed a new divide between South Korea and the North

Gold medalist North Korea's Song Kukhyang, center, silver medalist North Korea's Jong Chunhui, left, and bronze medalist South Korea's Kim Suhyeon, right, gesture during the medal ceremony of women's 76kg group A weightlifting competition at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 5, 2023. (JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images)

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean weightlifter Kim Suhyeon was preparing for the clean and jerk portion of the women's 76-kilogram event at the Asian Games last week when a North Korean coach quietly approached her. Kim's Chinese rival, who finished third in the snatch after two North Koreans, had just dropped out due to injury.

"The coach told me, 'You have a shot now, so keep it up,'" Kim recounted the exchange to reporters after finishing the competition with a bronze medal.