London24NEWS

North Korean athletes who strike gold to be showered with presents by Kim Jong-un

North Korean athletes who win a medal at the Paris games could be showered in gifts.

Kim Jong-un’s state doesn’t have the best pedigree in the Olympics – and they’re yet to strike gold this summer. However, they have picked up six medals in the French capital (two silver and four bronze).

Diving and wrestling have proved to be North Korea’s favourite hunting grounds – with Kim Mi-rae and Jo Jin-mi winning silver in the Women’s synchronised 10 metre platform and Mi-rae going onto win bronze in the individual event.

READ MORE: NBA icon shows true colours with x-rated gesture towards booing fans at Olympics

READ MORE: Imane Khelif receives public apology over gender row ahead of gold medal fight

Join the Daily Star’s WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more



A man laughing at his phone, a sassy womanm the whatsapp logo and an alien in a suit.

The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!

Through the app, we’ll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.

To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in!

No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Pang Chol-mi bagged a bronze in boxing, while Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong took home the silver medal in table tennis mixed doubles.

Back in 2013, North Korean state news agency KCNA lifted the lid on what gold medal athletes had been awarded for their performance at the London games. The report states several athletes moved into luxury homes along the Pothong River, which flows through capital city Pyongyang.

What do you think of the rewards given to the North Korean athletes? Let us know in the comments section



Se Ung Ri of Team Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (blue) reacts following victory against Raiber Jose Rodriguez Orozco of Team Venezuela (red) during the Wrestling Men's Greco-Roman 60kg Bronze Medal match on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 06, 2024 in Paris, France.
North Korean athletes who win medals could be showered in gifts back home



This picture taken on June 1, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on June 2, 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaking as he attends the opening ceremony of the Central Cadre School of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang.
Kim Jong-un rewarded London 2012’s stars after the games

Luxury cars – and even fridges – had been made available to those who lived in the high-end apartments.

Weightlifter Om Yun-chul, who won gold in London, said: “We sportspersons could exalt the dignity and honour of Songun (military-first) Korea with gold medals in international games thanks to the deep loving care of Kim Jong-un.

“Who has always led us in each match, instilling strength and courage into us.”



North Korea's Pang Cholmi and South Korea's Im Ae-ji pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 54kg final boxing category during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Roland-Garros Stadium, in Paris on August 8, 2024.
North Korea are yet to strike gold this summer



Bronze medalist Choe Hyo Gyong of Team Democratic People’s Republic of Korea poses for a photo on the Wrestling Women's Freestyle 53kg Medal Ceremony on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France.
North Korea have won six medals in Paris

While long-distance runner Kim Kum-ok was reduced to tears: “I could hardly enter the flat as every room of the wonderful flat is associated with the profound loving care of the Marshal (Jong-un) and I was deeply touched by the benevolence under the grateful socialist system.

“I keenly realised once again under what profound loving care we are living.”

The prospect of being showered in gifts upon returning home is certainly an attractive one for the small North Korean contingent – who rocked up in Paris late last month.