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North Korea to ‘bring joy’ to Kim with 100 athletes at Asian Games
🇭🇰 Hong Kong /Sports

North Korea to ‘bring joy’ to Kim with 100 athletes at Asian Games

From Hong Kong Free Press · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • North Korea will send approximately 100 athletes to compete in 14 sports at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
  • The delegation aims to achieve greater results than in previous games and "bring joy to Marshal Kim Jong Un."
  • This participation marks North Korea's return to international sporting events after a suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic.

North Korea is set to send a delegation of about 100 athletes to compete across 14 sports at the Asian Games in Japan next month, with the stated goal of "bringing joy to Marshal Kim Jong Un." This move signifies the nation's continued re-engagement with international sporting competitions following a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our delegation will send more than 100 athletes to compete in 14 sports, including men’s and women’s football, weightlifting, boxing and wrestling.

— Ko Chol HoSecretary general of North Korea's Olympic committee detailing the delegation's composition.

The nuclear-armed state had previously suspended its participation in international sporting events but has since returned, notably at the Asian Games in China in 2023 and the Paris Olympics. The upcoming team for the regional Games, to be held in Nagoya and the Aichi region, will include two ethnic Korean athletes based in Japan who will compete in women's football and karate, according to Ko Chol Ho, secretary general of North Korea's Olympic committee.

"Our delegation will send more than 100 athletes to compete in 14 sports, including men’s and women’s football, weightlifting, boxing and wrestling," Ko told Choson Sinbo, a pro-North Korean publication based in Japan. He added, "We are making every effort, driven by a strong desire to live up to the expectations of our country and people by achieving even greater results at the upcoming Games."

We are making every effort, driven by a strong desire to live up to the expectations of our country and people by achieving even greater results at the upcoming Games.

— Ko Chol HoExpressing the delegation's commitment to achieving success at the Asian Games.

While the delegation size may be smaller than the one sent to the Hangzhou Games in 2023, North Korea hopes to secure more medals this time. The nation won 11 gold medals previously, with half of those in weightlifting. The athletes are reportedly training diligently and are motivated to achieve success for their leader, with the Games scheduled to run from September 19 to October 4.

Our athletes are training tirelessly every day, determined to bring joy to Marshal Kim.

— Ko Chol HoDescribing the athletes' motivation and dedication to their leader.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hong Kong Free Press. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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