“Ri Kum Suk is widely known as highly skilled forward and prolific scorer. During her professional career as a player she took part in over 100 matches and scored some 120 goals, demonstrating her ability as a world-class football ace,” said Kim Chol Ung, department director of the Football Association of the DPRK.
Born to an ordinary worker’s family in Sapho District, Hamhung of South Hamgyong Province, she began to play football at Sapho District juvenile sports school of the city as a junior middle school student.
She was picked out by the April 25 Sports Club in 1993 and cut a fine figure in several local tournaments.
She became a member of the national team in 1996 when the DPRK women’s soccer was in its heyday with many talented players included in it.
An excellent forward and gifted header, she made a crucial contribution to the team DPRK’s winning a series of international events.
In particular, she scored a winning goal in the final match with Japan in the 13th Asian women’s football championships, receiving the top scorer award of the event.
She also made decisive goals in the final matches of the 14th Asian women’s football championships and the 14th and 15th Asian Games, earning their top scorer and most valuable player awards.
She scored a hat-trick against Australia in the semifinals of the 16th Asian women’s football championships and won the top scorer and most valuable player awards of the event.
She also made her presence known in the team of world women’s soccer stars as she was invited to it.
“Ri was active as captain of the women’s national team for a long time. She not only had high skills but also the knack of playmaking, that is, she sensitively grasped the game tactics of the coach and commanded the teammates to play accordingly. So her presence in the field often decided the team’s morale and the development of matches,” said Kim.
She is now devoting her time and energy to training national team players as a women’s football coach at the April 25 Sports Club.
More From Pyongyang Times
The second-day sitting of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea took place on February 20. The congress will mark a
February 21, 2026
The second-day sitting of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea took place on February 20. The congress will mark a
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Japan against its moves to revive militarism in Munich, Germany, on February 14. Stressing
February 21, 2026
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Japan against its moves to revive militarism in Munich, Germany, on February 14. Stressing
The Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the Communist
February 21, 2026
The Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the Communist
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council of China held a meeting for lunar New Year greeting in
February 20, 2026
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council of China held a meeting for lunar New Year greeting in
All the Party members and other people in the DPRK, absolutely convinced that the Korean revolution would always emerge victorious
February 20, 2026
All the Party members and other people in the DPRK, absolutely convinced that the Korean revolution would always emerge victorious
Dear delegates,Today, we are opening the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which will set up another new milestone in
February 20, 2026
Dear delegates,Today, we are opening the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which will set up another new milestone in
The Norwegian prime minister criticized the US’ diplomatic and trade policy in his speech at the parliament on February 12.Europe’
February 20, 2026
The Norwegian prime minister criticized the US’ diplomatic and trade policy in his speech at the parliament on February 12.Europe’
A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China led by Chairwoman Choe Un Bok arrived in Pyongyang on
February 20, 2026
A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China led by Chairwoman Choe Un Bok arrived in Pyongyang on
The Third People's Art Festival in Celebration of February 16 came to an end. The festival performances were given at theatres and
February 20, 2026
The Third People's Art Festival in Celebration of February 16 came to an end. The festival performances were given at theatres and
Industrial design exhibitions on the theme of "New era of regional transformation and industrial design" in celebration of
February 20, 2026
Industrial design exhibitions on the theme of "New era of regional transformation and industrial design" in celebration of
A ceremony of great significance was held in the area of Hwasong in Pyongyang, well known as an epitome representing socialist
February 19, 2026
A ceremony of great significance was held in the area of Hwasong in Pyongyang, well known as an epitome representing socialist
The workers in the munitions industry of the DPRK are providing a sure guarantee for a continuous development and radical dramatic
February 19, 2026
The workers in the munitions industry of the DPRK are providing a sure guarantee for a continuous development and radical dramatic
Comrades,The workers in the munitions industry have prepared the most valuable present for a glorious congress of the Workers’ Par
February 19, 2026
Comrades,The workers in the munitions industry have prepared the most valuable present for a glorious congress of the Workers’ Par
Soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members, who are spending significant days in Pyongyang after building an ideal farm town
February 19, 2026
Soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members, who are spending significant days in Pyongyang after building an ideal farm town
Performances of participants in the Third People's Art Festival were given in different parts of the country on February 16 to
February 19, 2026
Performances of participants in the Third People's Art Festival were given in different parts of the country on February 16 to
There was a significant ceremony ahead of the opening of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea all the Party members
February 19, 2026
There was a significant ceremony ahead of the opening of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea all the Party members
Delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where President Kim Il Sung
February 19, 2026
Delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where President Kim Il Sung
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
February 19, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
The Russian permanent representative to the United Nations criticized Western countries for abusing the UNSC in putting pressure
February 18, 2026
The Russian permanent representative to the United Nations criticized Western countries for abusing the UNSC in putting pressure
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan for not honestly and sincerely approaching its history of aggression,
February 18, 2026
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan for not honestly and sincerely approaching its history of aggression,
More Articles
