State commendations were conferred on players and coaches who proved successful at international games and on members concerned.

A ceremony of awarding the state commendations took place at the Weightlifting Gymnasium on Chongchun Street in Pyongyang on April 13.

Present there were Ri Ju Myong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and vice-chairman of the National Sports Guidance Committee, Kim Il Guk, minister of Physical Culture and Sports, officials concerned, players and coaches who proved successful at international games and other sportspersons.

A decree of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK was conveyed at the ceremony.

Kim Il Sung Youth Honour Prize was conferred on Yu Jong Hyang, Ri Ui Gyong and Kim Son Gyong, women footballers of the April 25 Sports Team, Ri Jin A, a woman footballer of the Sobaeksu Sports Team, Ryu Jin Ju and Kim Su Rim, women footballers of the Amnokgang Sports Club, Kim Yong Ju, a weightlifter of the April 25 Combat Sports Team, Ro Hye Song, an acrobatic gymnast of the Ministry of Commerce Sports Club, Kim Hyon Ung, a player of the Kangwon Provincial Taekwon-Do Team, and Han So Yon, a player of the Ryongaksan Taekwon-Do Team. Kim Jong Il Youth Honour Prize went to Kim Won Sim, Ri Kyong Im and Ri Ye Rim, women footballers of the April 25 Sports Team, O Chong Gum and Pak Rye Yong, women footballers of the Sobaeksu Sports Team, Yun Jin A, a woman footballer of the Amnokgang Sports Club, and Pak Su Jin and Pak Song Gwang, players of the South Phyongan Provincial Taekwon-Do Team. Kim Il Sung Children Honour Prize was awarded to Choe Yun Jong, a student of Tonghungsan Senior Middle School in Tonghungsan District of Hamhung City, and An Sol Gyong, a student of Jungdok Senior Middle School in Phyongsong City.

The title of People's Athlete was conferred on Yang Chun Song, wrestling head coach of the April 25 Combat Sports Team, Han Chong Song, a wrestler of the same sports team, Pak Hyon Chol, head of the Sports Club of the Ministry of External Economic Relations, Choe Chol Su, a wrestling coach of the Pyongyang Sports Club, O Kyong Ryong, a wrestler of the same sports club, Kim Hak Won, wrestling head coach of the Jangsan Sports Club, Won Myong Gyong, a wrestler of the same sports club, Jo Hye Chol, head coach of the South Hwanghae Provincial Taekwon-Do Team, Hong Jin Gyong, a player of the same team, and Pak Ji Hyang, Kim Yu Sim, Min Hye Gyong and Kim Ryu Gyong, players of the Ryongaksan Taekwon-Do Team.

The title of Merited Athlete was awarded to Pak Song Jin, women’s football coach of the April 25 Sports Team, Kim Hyok Chol, boxing coach of the April 25 Combat Sports Team, Hong Chol Nam, swimming coach of the Sobaeksu Sports Team, Choe Wi Hyon, a swimmer of the same team, Kim Ok Ju, a wrestler of the Amnokgang Sports Club, Pak Yun Do, weightlifting head coach of the Chongchongang Sports Club, Kim Won Ryong, a wrestling instructor of Jongju City Extracurricular Sports School in North Phyongan Province, Ri Myong Gwon, acrobatic gymnastics coach of the Ryesonggang Sports Club, Ryu Il Chon, an acrobatic gymnast of the same sports club, Kim Yu Jong, a player of the Ryongaksan Taekwon-Do Team, Kang Myong Chol, a coach of the Pyongyang Municipal Taekwon-Do Team, Sin Yun Hyok, a player of the same team, Jin Il Ryong, a coach of the Kangwon Provincial Taekwon-Do Team, Tu Kum Song, a player of the same team, Yun Jong Sam, a coach of the Nampho Municipal Taekwon-Do Team, and Han Il Myong, a player of the same team.

Order of National Flag First Class was conferred on 13 persons, Order of Labour on one person, Order of National Flag Second Class on 28 persons, Order of National Flag Third Class on 26 persons, Distinguished Military Service Medal on two persons and Medal of Merit on 15 persons.

Speeches were made at the ceremony.