North Koreans monitored 24h during Olympics

  North Korean athletes, cheerleaders and other related members which consists around 500 people are strictly monitored by government officials, security personnel and administrative officers, to prevent them from defection.

  The North Korean teams are well aware of their peers' and families' consequences once they choose freedom. They are monitored even when visiting washroom and some dialogues may be recorded. Those who monitor often act as assistants in disguise.

  Despite this, there were several successful attempts in the past.
A North Korean ice hockey player defected in 1997, a Judo athlete in 1999, and cheerleader Han Seo-hee in 2006.