January 16, 2026Jan 16, 2026
KCNA Naenara (En)

Laudable Sportspersons

Date: 24/04/2025 | Source: Naenara (En) | Read original version at source

Over the past 10 years, Korean sportspersons have won over 1 920 medals including more than 910 golds in international competitions, bringing glory and honour to their country and demonstrating its dignity and might.

Women footballers lifted trophies at the 2015 EAFF Women’s East Asian Cup and the FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women’s World Cups in 2016 and 2024.

Rim Jong Sim, Om Yun Chol, Kang Hyon Gyong, Ri Song Gum, Kim Il Gyong, Ri Suk, Ri Chong Song and other weightlifters came to prominence at the 31st Olympic Games and the 2024 IWF World Weightlifting Championships, renewing world records and winning gold medals.

In particular, women’s weightlifters increased the number of their world records from 2 to 14 and snatched more than 100 medals including 70 gold medals in a little more than a year. This has been hailed as an unprecedented success in the world weightlifting circles.

Ri Se Gwang flawlessly performed a series of technical movements with high degrees of difficulty at the 31st Olympic Games, the 48th FIG World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and other international games. This earned him fame as an Olympic gold medalist, three-time world champion, a world gymnastic star and a vaulting horse king.

Pang Chol Mi bagged gold medals at the World Women’s Boxing Championships in 2018 and 2025 and other games, emerging as a world-class boxer.

Pak Yong Mi defeated her Japanese rival 12-1 in the women’s 53kg category finals of the 2019 World Wrestling Championships to become the first woman world wrestling champion of the country and Kim Kuk Hyang came first in the women’s 10m platform event of the 16th FINA Diving World Series.

Taekwon-Do players took the first place in national standings at ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships from the 19th to the 22nd rounds and won more than 310 gold medals at the 9th International Martial Arts Games, the 10th Asian Taekwon-Do Championships and other competitions.

Korean athletes were also successful at the 33rd Olympic Games, the 2024 Asian Table-tennis Championships, the 37th CIMS World Military Wrestling Championships and other events with their excellent physical and technical abilities and stubborn fighting spirit.

Over the decade coaches Kim Chun Hui and Ro Hyon Chol and player Ri Se Gwang were awarded the title of Labour Hero, the highest honour for a DPRK citizen, while over 30 others won the title of People's Athlete and over 150 the title of Merited Athlete.

Kim Pong Ju

More From Naenara (En)

Agricultural Workers Move into New Houses in DPRK

Agricultural Workers Move into New Houses in DPRK

New houses have appeared at the Sugye Farm in Unsan County and the Mungok Livestock Farm in Nyongwon County, South Phyongan

January 15, 2026

New houses have appeared at the Sugye Farm in Unsan County and the Mungok Livestock Farm in Nyongwon County, South Phyongan

Steady Progress in Defence Buildup

Steady Progress in Defence Buildup

In 2025, too, the DPRK made steady efforts to ramp up its national defence capabilities and safeguard the security of the nation

January 15, 2026

In 2025, too, the DPRK made steady efforts to ramp up its national defence capabilities and safeguard the security of the nation

Visiting Mushroom Farm at Outset of Year

Visiting Mushroom Farm at Outset of Year

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the then Pyongyang Municipal Mushroom Farm on January 9, 2015. Feasting his eyes on a

January 15, 2026

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the then Pyongyang Municipal Mushroom Farm on January 9, 2015. Feasting his eyes on a

Poisoning of Emperor Violating Korea’s Sovereignty

Poisoning of Emperor Violating Korea’s Sovereignty

Emperor Kojong, monarch of the feudal Joson dynasty, was poisoned to death by the Japanese imperialists on January 21, 1919.The mu

January 15, 2026

Emperor Kojong, monarch of the feudal Joson dynasty, was poisoned to death by the Japanese imperialists on January 21, 1919.The mu

Press Statement of Permanent Representative of DPRK to UN

Press Statement of Permanent Representative of DPRK to UN

Kim Song, permanent representative of the DPRK to the UN, issued the following press statement on January 13: Another unusual

January 14, 2026

Kim Song, permanent representative of the DPRK to the UN, issued the following press statement on January 13: Another unusual

Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory Inaugurated in DPRK

Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory Inaugurated in DPRK

The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un

January 14, 2026

The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un

Cement Production Increased More Than Planned

Cement Production Increased More Than Planned

Last year the Sangwon Cement Complex managed to increase the cement production by hundreds of thousands of tons. The complex set a

January 14, 2026

Last year the Sangwon Cement Complex managed to increase the cement production by hundreds of thousands of tons. The complex set a

For Development of Paramilitary Forces

For Development of Paramilitary Forces

In the DPRK the Worker-Peasant Red Guards constitute one of the two pillars of the country’s armed forces together with the

January 14, 2026

In the DPRK the Worker-Peasant Red Guards constitute one of the two pillars of the country’s armed forces together with the

New Villages Built at Farms in North Hwanghae Province of DPRK

New Villages Built at Farms in North Hwanghae Province of DPRK

Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the

January 14, 2026

Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the

Photo Exhibition Opens to Mark 80th Founding Anniversary of SPYL

Photo Exhibition Opens to Mark 80th Founding Anniversary of SPYL

A photo exhibition “Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great policy of

January 14, 2026

A photo exhibition “Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great policy of

Folk Game–Shuttlecock Game

Folk Game–Shuttlecock Game

Shuttlecock game is played by kicking the shuttlecock to perform various stunts or compete to kick it more than others.As one of t

January 14, 2026

Shuttlecock game is played by kicking the shuttlecock to perform various stunts or compete to kick it more than others.As one of t

Sports Facilities Built in Different Places

Sports Facilities Built in Different Places

Last year the DPRK built many public sports and leisure facilities in various places. The Ice Rink in the capital city of

January 14, 2026

Last year the DPRK built many public sports and leisure facilities in various places. The Ice Rink in the capital city of

Deep Concern over Educational Environment

Deep Concern over Educational Environment

One day in September 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kangbuk-ri, Kumchon County, North Hwanghae Province, which

January 13, 2026

One day in September 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kangbuk-ri, Kumchon County, North Hwanghae Province, which

Medical Sci-tech Exchanges Promoted

Medical Sci-tech Exchanges Promoted

The DPRK is promoting medical sci-tech exchanges. Symposiums and seminars in the field of medical sciences are held every year.

January 13, 2026

The DPRK is promoting medical sci-tech exchanges. Symposiums and seminars in the field of medical sciences are held every year.

Great Efforts Devoted to National Prosperity and Future

Great Efforts Devoted to National Prosperity and Future

2025 marked the final year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth

January 13, 2026

2025 marked the final year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth

New Villages Built in South Hwanghae Province of DPRK

New Villages Built in South Hwanghae Province of DPRK

At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County,

January 13, 2026

At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County,

First Day of Sports Observed in DPRK

First Day of Sports Observed in DPRK

Citizens of the DPRK conducted mass sports activities on the first day of sports for this year. Sports games were held at

January 13, 2026

Citizens of the DPRK conducted mass sports activities on the first day of sports for this year. Sports games were held at

New Houses Built in Kangwon Province

New Houses Built in Kangwon Province

New houses have been built at farm villages of Singye-ri, Hoeyang County and Jiha-ri, Phangyo County, Kangwon Province. The houses

January 12, 2026

New houses have been built at farm villages of Singye-ri, Hoeyang County and Jiha-ri, Phangyo County, Kangwon Province. The houses

KCNA Commentary on Neo-militarism of Japan

KCNA Commentary on Neo-militarism of Japan

From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security

January 12, 2026

From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security

More Articles