North Korea at the
2008 Summer Olympics
IOC codePRK
NOCOlympic Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
in Beijing
Competitors63 in 11 sports
Flag bearers Pang Mun-Il (opening)
Pak Hyon-suk (closing)
Medals
Ranked 34th
Gold
2
Silver
2
Bronze
2
Total
6
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008. The country sent 63 athletes, competing in 11 sports.[1]

North and South Korea had initially intended to send a joint delegation to the Games,[2][3] but were unable to agree on the details of its implementation.[4][5] (see South Korea at the 2008 Summer Olympics)

Reportedly, North Korean athletes were barred by their government from mingling with other athletes at the Olympic Village, or from leaving the Village to sightsee.[6]

Medalists

Medal Name Sport Event
 Gold Pak Hyon-suk Weightlifting Women's 63 kg
 Gold Hong Un-jong Gymnastics Women's vault
 Silver An Kum-ae Judo Women's 52 kg
 Silver O Jong-ae Weightlifting Women's 58 kg
 Bronze Pak Chol-min Judo Men's 66 kg
 Bronze Won Ok-im Judo Women's 63 kg

Archery

Main article: Archery at the 2008 Summer Olympics

North Korea sent archers to the Olympics for the fifth time, after not qualifying any for the 2004 Games. Two North Korean women sought the nation's first Olympic medal in the sport. Kwon Un Sil and Son Hye-Yong earned the country two places in the women's individual competition by placing 9th and 24th, respectively, at the 2007 World Outdoor Target Championships.[7]

Athlete Event Ranking round Round of 64 Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final / BM
Score Seed Opposition
Score 		Opposition
Score 		Opposition
Score 		Opposition
Score 		Opposition
Score 		Opposition
Score 		Rank
Kwon Un-sil Women's individual 656 5  Abtin (IRI) (60)
W 106–96 		 Vardineni (IND) (37)
W 106–99 		 Román (MEX) (12)
W 105–100 		 Avitia (MEX) (20)
W 105–99 		 Park S-H (KOR) (1)
L 106–109 		 Yun O-H (KOR) (2)
L 106–109 		4
Son Hye-Yong 618 45  Avitia (MEX) (20)
L 107–112 		Did not advance

Athletics

Main article: Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Key
Men
Athlete Event Final
Result Rank
Kim Il-nam Marathon 2:21:51 42
Pak Song-chol 2:21:16 40
Ri Kum-song 2:19:08 33
Women
Athlete Event Final
Result Rank
Jo Bun-hui Marathon 2:37:04 48
Jong Yong-ok 2:34:52 36
Kim Kum-ok 2:30:01 12

Boxing

Main article: Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics

North Korea qualified one boxer for the Olympic boxing tournament. Kim Song Guk qualified in the lightweight class at the 2007 World Championships.[8]

Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Kim Song-guk Lightweight  Sow (FRA)
L 3–13 		Did not advance

Diving

Main article: Diving at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Men
Athlete Events Preliminaries Semifinals Final
Points Rank Points Rank Points Rank
Kim Chon-man 10 m platform 328.85 30 Did not advance
Women
Athlete Events Preliminaries Semifinals Final
Points Rank Points Rank Points Rank
Kim Jin-ok 10 m platform 291.90 18 Q 259.40 17 Did not advance
Kim Un-hyang 316.20 13 Q 267.00 16 Did not advance
Choe Kum-hui
Kim Un-hyang 		10 m synchronized platform — 308.10 6

Football

Main article: Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Women's tournament

Main article: Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament
Roster

Head coach: Kim Kwang-min

North Korea named a squad of 18 players and no alternates for the tournament.[9][10]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Jon Myong-hui (1986-08-07)7 August 1986 (aged 21) North Korea Rimyongsu
2 3MF Kim Kyong-hwa (1986-03-28)28 March 1986 (aged 22) North Korea April 25
3 2DF Om Jong-ran (1985-10-10)10 October 1985 (aged 22) North Korea April 25
4 2DF Jang Yong-ok (1982-09-17)17 September 1982 (aged 25) North Korea April 25
5 2DF Song Jong-sun (1981-03-11)11 March 1981 (aged 27) North Korea Amrokkang
6 4FW Kim Ok-sim (1987-07-02)2 July 1987 (aged 21) North Korea Rimyongsu
7 3MF Ho Sun-hui (1980-03-05)5 March 1980 (aged 28) North Korea Amrokkang
8 4FW Kil Son-hui (1986-03-07)7 March 1986 (aged 22) North Korea Rimyongsu
9 3MF Ri Un-suk (1986-01-01)1 January 1986 (aged 22) North Korea April 25
10 4FW Ri Kum-suk (captain) (1978-08-16)16 August 1978 (aged 29) North Korea April 25
11 3MF Ri Un-gyong (1980-11-19)19 November 1980 (aged 27) North Korea Wolmido
12 2DF Ri Un-hyang (1988-05-15)15 May 1988 (aged 20) North Korea Amrokkang
13 2DF Yu Jong-hui (1986-03-21)21 March 1986 (aged 22) North Korea April 25
14 2DF Jang Il-ok (1986-10-10)10 October 1986 (aged 21) North Korea April 25
15 2DF Sonu Kyong-sun (1983-09-28)28 September 1983 (aged 24) North Korea April 25
16 2DF Kong Hye-ok (1983-07-19)19 July 1983 (aged 25) North Korea April 25
17 4FW Kim Yong-ae (1983-03-07)7 March 1983 (aged 25) North Korea April 25
18 1GK Han Hye-yong (1985-03-04)4 March 1985 (aged 23) North Korea Pyongyang City
Group play
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Brazil 3 2 1 0 5 2 +3 7 Qualified for the quarterfinals
2  Germany 3 2 1 0 2 0 +2 7
3  North Korea 3 1 0 2 2 3 −1 3
4  Nigeria 3 0 0 3 1 5 −4 0
Source:[citation needed]
North Korea 1–0 Nigeria
Kim Kyong-hwa 27' Report
Shenyang Olympic Stadium, Shenyang
Attendance: 24,084
Referee: Shane de Silva (Trinidad and Tobago)
Brazil 2–1 North Korea
Daniela 14'
Marta 23'		 Report Ri Kum-suk 90'
Shenyang Olympic Stadium, Shenyang
Attendance: 19,616
Referee: Niu Huijun (China)
North Korea 0–1 Germany
Report Mittag 86'
Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium, Tianjin
Attendance: 12,387
Referee: Dianne Ferreira-James (Guyana)

Gymnastics

Main article: Gymnastics at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Artistic

Women
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Apparatus Total Rank Apparatus Total Rank
F V UB BB F V UB BB
Cha Yong-hwa Vault — 13.750 — 13.750 =74 Did not advance
Uneven bars — 15.175 — 15.175 12 Did not advance
Hong Un-jong All-around 13.850 15.650 14.100 12.825 56.425 41 Did not advance
Vault — 15.725 — 15.725 2 Q — 15.650 — 15.650 1st place, gold medalist(s)

Judo

Main article: Judo at the 2008 Summer Olympics

North Korea will send six judoka to Beijing,[11] including:

Men
Athlete Event Preliminary Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage 1 Repechage 2 Repechage 3 Final / BM
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Kim Kyong-jin −60 kg Bye  Norbert (MAD)
W 1000–0000 		 Davtyan (ARM)
W 0022–0000 		 Paischer (AUT)
L 0000–0020 		Did not advance Bye  Fallon (GBR)
L 0001–0100 		Did not advance
Pak Chol-min −66 kg Bye  Nurmuhammedow (TKM)
W 1000–0000 		 Casale (ITA)
W 0010–0001 		 Dias (POR)
W 0002–0000 		 Darbelet (FRA)
L 0001–0210 		Bye  Sharipov (UZB)
W 0100–0001 		3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Kim Chol-su −73 kg —  Girones (CUB)
W 1000–0001 		 Kevkhishvili (GEO)
W 0111–0110 		 Mammadli (AZE)
L 0000–0200 		Did not advance Bye  van Tichelt (BEL)
L 0000–1011 		Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage 1 Repechage 2 Repechage 3 Final / BM
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Pak Ok-song −48 kg Bye  Hormigo (POR)
W 0100–0000 		 Nurgazina (KAZ)
W 0011–0001 		 Bermoy (CUB)
L 0000–1021 		Bye  Pareto (ARG)
L 0001–0100 		5
An Kum-ae −52 kg  Mestre (CUB)
W 0201–0000 		 Velázquez (VEN)
W 0010–0001 		 Kaliyeva (KAZ)
W 0200–0000 		 Nakamura (JPN)
W 0001–0000 		Bye  Xian (CHN)
L 0001–0011 		2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Kye Sun-Hui −57 kg  Filzmoser (AUT)
W 1001–0001 		 Harel (FRA)
L 0010–0101 		Did not advance
Won Ok-Im −63 kg Bye  Krukower (ARG)
W 0020–0010 		 Willeboordse (NED)
W 0200–0000 		 Décosse (FRA)
L 0000–0211 		Bye  Heill (AUT)
W 0110–0001 		3rd place, bronze medalist(s)

Shooting

Main article: Shooting at the 2008 Summer Olympics

North Korea will be represented by six shooters, including Kim Jong-su, who won bronze in the men's 50m pistol in Athens.[12] Kim Jong-su, who originally won a silver medal in the men's 50 metre pistol and a bronze medal in the men's 10 metre air pistol, was tested positive for the banned substance of propranolol, and subsequently stripped off his medals.[13]

Men
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Points Rank Points Rank
Kim Jong-su 10 m air pistol 584 3 Q 683 DSQ[13]
50 m pistol 563 2 Q 660.2 DSQ[13]
Kwon Tong-hyok 10 m air pistol 575 26 Did not advance
Ryu Myong-yon 50 m pistol 551 27 Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Points Rank Points Rank
Jo Yong-suk 10 m air pistol 382 15 Did not advance
25 m pistol 584 4 Q 783.4 6
Pak Jong-ran Skeet 66 9 Did not advance
Pak Yong-hui Trap 56 18 Did not advance

Synchronized swimming

Main article: Synchronized swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Athlete Event Technical routine Free routine (preliminary) Free routine (final)
Points Rank Points Total (technical + free) Rank Points Total (technical + free) Rank
Kim Yong-mi
Wang Ok-gyong[14] 		Duet 42.917 16 43.584 86.501 16 Did not advance

Table tennis

Main article: Table tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Athlete Event Preliminary round Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final / BM
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Jang Song-man Men's singles  Aguirre (PAR)
W 4–0 		 Liu S (ARG)
W 4–2 		 He Z W (ESP)
W 4–2 		 Li C (HKG)
L 1–4 		Did not advance
Kim Hyok-bong  Al-Hasan (KUW)
W 4–2 		 Monteiro (BRA)
W 4–1 		 Chiang P-L (TPE)
W 4–2 		 Boll (GER)
L 1–4 		Did not advance
Ri Chol-Guk Bye  Gardos (AUT)
L 3–4 		Did not advance
Kim Jong Women's singles Bye  Ramos (VEN)
W 4–0 		 Dodean (ROU)
W 4–1 		 Park M-Y (KOR)
L 0–4 		Did not advance
Kim Mi-yong Bye  Paškauskienė (LTU)
L 3–4 		Did not advance

Weightlifting

Main article: Weightlifting at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Men
Athlete Event Snatch Clean & Jerk Total Rank
Result Rank Result Rank
Cha Kum-chol −56 kg 128 5 155 5 283 5
Ri Kyong-sok 122 DNF — — — DNF
Im Yong-su −62 kg 138 3 168 DNF 138 DNF
Kim Chol-jin −69 kg 146 =8 180 6 326 6
Women
Athlete Event Snatch Clean & Jerk Total Rank
Result Rank Result Rank
O Jong-ae −58 kg 95 6 131 2 226 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Pak Hyon-suk −63 kg 106 2 135 1 241 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Hong Yong-ok −69 kg 103 DNF — — — DNF

Wrestling

Main article: Wrestling at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Key:

Men's freestyle
Athlete Event Qualification Round of 16 Quarterfinal Semifinal Repechage 1 Repechage 2 Final / BM
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Yang Kyong-il −55 kg Bye  Sevdimov (AZE)
L 1–3 PP 		Did not advance 12
Yang Chun-song −66 kg Bye  Batyrov (BLR)
L 1–3 PP 		Did not advance 15
Men's Greco-Roman
Athlete Event Qualification Round of 16 Quarterfinal Semifinal Repechage 1 Repechage 2 Final / BM
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Cha Kwang-su −55 kg Bye  Hernández (CUB)
L 1–3 PP 		Did not advance 15

External links

References

  1. ^ "KCNA boosts DPRK Olympic athletes' morale", Xinhua, July 31, 2008
  2. ^ "North and South Korea to join forces in fight for Olympic gold", The Guardian, November 2, 2005
  3. ^ "'One' Korea for Olympics", The Age, February 26, 2004
  4. ^ "No progress on joint Korean Olympic team: officials", ABC News, April 4, 2006
  5. ^ "Sides still at odds over joint '08 Olympics team", Associated Press, December 1, 2006
  6. ^ "A lonely Olympics experience", The Oregonian, August 19, 2008
  7. ^ "FITA Olympic Qualification - Women" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  8. ^ "World Boxing Championships Chicago 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-11. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  9. ^ "Korea DPR – Squad List". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Team profile – Football Women: DPR Korea". BOCOG. 2008. Archived from the original on 9 August 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Kye Sun Hui pinned high hope to win gold at Olympics for DPRK", Xinhua, July 30, 2008
  12. ^ "DPRK shooter Kim eyes top two at Beijing Olympics" Archived 2012-10-21 at the Wayback Machine, Xinhua, July 30, 2008
  13. ^ a b c "Two more athletes fail dope tests". 15 August 2008.
  14. ^ "Ballet on water", Xinhua, August 19, 2008
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