I mean, for most countries it's a way of putting themselves on the map and it's also to increase their soft power and influence in the world, but I don't get why North Korea is in the Olympics?

I mean, even if it is for propaganda purposes, I feel like it might not go down well with the citizens of their country when they get to know the "Evil Americans and the No-good Japanese" win many many more medals than the motherland. And let's not forget there is a risk of players calling it quits (it has happened before), so why are they gaining from it?

PS: North Korea won a silver btw.

edit: To everyone who replies, know that I appreciate your answers even if I can't reply to every one of you! :)

edit 2: Forget the Americans or the Japanese, South Koreans participate too, I mean, do they even report how many medals their brothers on the other side won? I mean, I would not have been able to wipe off the feeling that we are in the wrong Korea if I knew how many medals South Koreans win (and they bloody win a lot at Shooting too, Shooting, it's like the Unique Selling Point of North Korea :').