North Korea is often overlooked for its successes in the sporting arena, but the country has actually won its fair share of medals in various international competitions. The majority of these medals have been in Olympic and Paralympic Games, but the country is also making its mark in other competitions, including the Asian Games and World Cup Football. In this article, we take a look at the number of medals North Korea has won, their sporting achievements in various international competitions, and some of the country’s finest sporting moments.
When it comes to Olympic and Paralympic medals, North Korea has certainly been successful. The country has won a total of 28 Olympic medals since its first participation in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, and an additional 11 Paralympic medals since its first participation in the 1988 Seoul Paralympic Games. Of these medals, 21 have been gold, with 17 of those coming from the Olympic Games. North Korea is currently sixth overall on the list of top 10 Olympic gold medal countries, behind China, the United States, Russia, Germany and Italy.
Aside from Olympic and Paralympic success, North Korea has also made its mark in other international competitions. For example, the country’s women’s football team has earned a number of accolades, including a World Cup bronze medal in 2015, a fourth-place finish at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games. The country’s men’s team has also been doing well recently, finishing third in the 2018 Asian Games.
While North Korea may be better known for its record on the international sporting stage, the country is also renowned for its top athletes. Weightlifter Om Yun-Chol is the country’s most decorated Olympian, having won three gold medals between the 2012 and 2016 Games. Other prominent North Korean athletes include Olympic medalist ice skater Ryom Tae-Ok, who won a bronze medal in Pairs in the 2018 Olympics, and Paralympic alpine skier Ma Yu-Jeong, who has earned six Paralympic medals since 2010.
North Korea also has a strong youth sports program, which is focused on encouraging and supporting young athletes. The country has seen success in this arena, with strong performances in the World Youth Championships, where North Korean athletes have taken home a total of 59 medals. North Korea is also renowned for its taekwondo athletes, with two Olympic golds and six World Championship golds being won since 2009.
The Rise of North Korean eSports and Gaming
North Korea is also becoming increasingly known for its success in eSports and gaming. The country recently sent its eSports team to the 2018 Asian Games and also held its first ever eSports tournament in 2015. Not only have North Korean athletes started to feature more prominently in international eSports competitions, but the country is now also the site of several international gaming events, including the PyeongChang eSports Open in 2018 and 2019.
The increasing focus on eSports and gaming may be due to North Korea’s desire to stay up-to-date with current trends, with the country also developing its own range of video games. Gamer Kim Jong Un, a game closely related to Nintendo’s Mario Kart series, was released in 2016 and is just one example of the growing gaming culture in North Korea. It certainly seems the country is putting more emphasis on the gaming industry and while it’s too early to tell how this new trend will develop, it’s clear that North Korea wants to be seen as a major player in the gaming world.
North Korean Technology and its Impact on Sport
North Korea’s technology sector has been steadily growing in recent years, and this is having a major impact on the country’s sporting sector. Not only is the country investing in eSports and gaming, but its technology has also been used to develop new training applications, such as the Samaekyun app, which allows athletes to create a personal training plan and track their progress. North Korean technology is also being used to innovate sports equipment, with the country recently launching its own line of bicycles.
North Korea is also becoming increasingly focused on developing its technological infrastructure, with the government giving the green light for the establishment of a new data centre in Pyongyang. This data centre is designed to serve as a hub for the exchange of data between North Korean and international organizations, with the ultimate goal of creating a unified sporting platform. This platform is expected to house data on athlete performance and biometric data from both North Korean and international sports competitions, and could be used to improve athletes’ performance, track team records and monitor sports paths.
Political Influence on North Korean Sport
The political climate in North Korea has had a major impact on the country’s sporting sector. It is no secret that the North Korean government has a strong influence on the country’s sporting successes, with many athletes receiving hefty rewards for their achievements. This includes state honours, such as titles and awards, as well as receiving an increased salary.
However, the political landscape can also have a negative effect on North Korean athletes. For example, the decision to send a team to the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang was met with a great deal of criticism as North Korea had also highlighted human rights violations at the same event.
The political influence on North Korean sport is also felt in the international arena. Due to the country’s tense relationship with South Korea, North Korean athletes often face additional scrutiny, including the threat of sanctions for participating in international competitions held in South Korea. This is particularly true for athletes competing in South Korean-hosted events such as the Asian Games and the Olympics.
North Korea’s Sporting Legacy
Despite the challenges, North Korea has demonstrated remarkable tenacity in the sporting arena and has cemented its place as one of the world’s top medal earners. The country’s success in the Olympic and Paralympic Games has been particularly impressive, with North Korea currently sitting in sixth place on the all-time list of Olympic medal countries. North Korea is also making its mark in other competitions, such as World Cup Football, Asian Games and eSports.
Furthermore, North Korea is also investing in new technologies and training applications to help develop its athletes, while its growing political profile is also expected to make a major impact on its sporting sector. When it comes to North Korea’s sporting legacy, it’s clear that the country is making an undeniable mark on the international sporting arena.
The coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on North Korea’s sporting sector, with a number of high-profile competitions being postponed or cancelled. This includes the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was due to be attended by North Korean athletes, and the 2020 Asian Games, which was also scheduled to be hosted by North Korea.
The pandemic has also forced North Korea to postpone or cancel many of its domestic sports events, including the Youth and Junior Summer Games, the Mass Games and the Pyongyang International Marathon. North Korea has also implemented bans on international visits to the country, making it difficult for foreign athletes and teams to attend any sporting events in the country.
Despite the disruption caused by the pandemic, North Korea is expected to make a return to the international sporting stage in the future. This could be in the form of sporting events being held in the country, or the nation potentially sending athletes to compete in overseas competitions. Either way, North Korea is sure to remain a prominent presence in the international sporting world.
North Korea’s Emergence in the Global Sporting Arena
Although North Korea is often overlooked in the international sporting arena, the country has quietly become a major player in recent years. From Olympic and Paralympic medals, to eSports and gaming success, the country has established itself as one of the top medal earners and is becoming increasingly prominent in the global sporting arena.
North Korea’s future in the global sporting arena is also looking promising, with the country continuing to invest in both its technology and training applications, as well as becoming increasingly visible in the international sporting arena.
It is clear that North Korea has become a major force in the global sporting landscape and is sure to remain a prominent presence in the years to come.
