Sports met politics Saturday at the Olympics: North Korea took on South Korea in table tennis.

South Korea won 3-1 and, as usual, players from one of the most secretive countries in the world wouldn't speak to reporters.

The two are technically at war, but Saturday they played a game that's often brought them together. South Korean Ryu Seung-min defeated North Korean Kim Hyok Bong in the fourth match to seal the victory. The two played as a team last year in Qatar in an exhibition match to promote world peace.

But, says Ryu, "On the court we are at war — table tennis war."

Despite the political overtones, the atmosphere at the 6,000-seat sellout was sporting, with warm applause for each side.

South Korean coach Yoo Nam-kyu — he won gold in Seoul in 1988 — says players chat in the players village, but there's tension on the court.

"We are the same people and speak the same language, but politically we are not very friendly at the moment," Yoo says. "From the history we felt we have to win against North Korea — because it's North Korea. ... When we talk, it's about everyday life. We don't talk political stuff."

— Stephen Wade — Twitter http://twitter.com/StephenWadeAP

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