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.
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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
(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)
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.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
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.