The North Korean athletes represent a brutal dictatorship and the brutal dictator’s sister, who plays a significant role in the government, is there behind the Pences. Standing on ceremony holds no positive value and wouldn’t be taken as a non-event. Not standing sends a direct message that we’re not going to make believe North Korea really belongs to the civilized world. The athletes from both Koreas came out together but that doesn’t change anything. A good cop/bad cop routine has value. That routine has contributed to the Koreas showing some friendliness. I don’t see a valid comparison with athletes refusing to stand for the pledge, even if they do it for a noble reason.