Merited Athlete is an honorary title of North Korea given to sports persons.[2] It is awarded to "athletes and workers engaged in the athletic field who make distinguished contributions to the nation's athletics, receiving the love and respect of the people for devoting themselves to national and social projects".[1] A typical achievement is winning a regional competition in Asia.[3] The title was instituted in November 1960.[1]
| Merited Athlete | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | "[Making] distinguished contributions to the nation's athletics, receiving the love and respect of the people for devoting [one's self] to national and social projects"[1] |
| Country | North Korea |
| Merited Athlete | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | |
|---|---|
| Hancha | |
| Revised Romanization | Gonghun cheyugin |
| McCune–Reischauer | Konghun ch'eyugin |
As of 1984[update], Merited Athletes are paid a 70-won (32-dollar) monthly pension after they retire at age 60, equivalent to an ordinary office worker's pay.[4] Merited Athletes have also been given luxurious apartments.[5] A Merited Athlete may become a sporting coach if they complete a four-year course at the Korean Athletics University.[3]
Sports persons may also be awarded the titles of People's Athlete or Hero of Labour.[2]
Recipients edit
In 2001, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that 320 or more people have been awarded either the title of Merited Athlete or the related title of People's Athlete since 1986.[1] As of December 2011[update], around 200 people in total had received the title of People's Athlete.[6]
List edit
| Name | Occupation | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cha Hyon-hyang | female judoka | coached by Ri Song-cho | [7] |
| Choe Chang-sop | marathoner | winner of the Košice Peace Marathon in 1975 | [8] |
| Ji Kyong-sun | female judoka | coached by Ri Song-cho | [7] |
| Jon Chol-ho | weightlifter | [1] | |
| Kim Chol-jin | weightlifter | Disciple of Han Kyong-thae and coach of Kwon Yong-gwang | [9] |
| Kim Hyon-hui | table tennis player | [1] | |
| Kim Kum-sil | female footballer | subsequently member of the Supreme People's Assembly | [10] |
| Kim So-hyang | footballer | North Korea women's national under-20 football team player excelling at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup | [11] |
| Ku Yong-jo | boxer | Competed in the bantamweight (54 kg) category. | [12] |
| Mun Gyong-ae | marathoner | awarded for outstanding performances | [8] |
| North Korea 1966 FIFA World Cup squad players | footballers | Almost all players of the squad were awarded the title. | [2] |
| Pak Chong-jong | basketball player | [1] | |
| Pak Kwang-bok | gymnastics coach | Rhythmic gymnastics coach of the Kigwancha Sports Club | [13] |
| Pak Sun-nyo | tumbling coach | Coach of Ri Chol-jun, Kim Un-hak, and other gymnasts | [14] |
| Ri Byong-uk | boxer | Competed in the light flyweight (48 kg) category. | [12] |
| Ri Hyang-sim | female footballer | coached by Kim Kyong-hui | [15] |
| Ri Myong-hwa | female judoka | coached by Ri Song-cho | [7] |
| Ri Se-gwang | artistic gymnast | National champion in floor, rings and vaulting horse, and gold medalist at the 2006 Asian Games and 2008 World Cup in gymnastics | [16] |
| Ri Ye-gyong | female footballer | coached by Kim Kyong-hui | [15] |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 496.
- ^ a b c Weiser, Martin (8 January 2016). "Chests Full of Brass: A DPRK Political History in Orders, Medals, Prizes, and Titles". Sino-NK. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ a b Seol Song Ah (1 February 2018). "North Korea's athlete factories: how they work". Daily NK. Retrieved 2 April 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "ROK Outshines N.K. in 8 Sports". Korea Newsreview. 13 (1–26). Seoul: The Korea Herald: 217. 1984. OCLC 473441715.
- ^ "North Korea's Dash toward Sports Power" (PDF). Vantage Point. 37 (10): 25–26. 2014. ISSN 1228-517X. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ "Sportspersons Honored with Title of People's Athlete". Korean Central News Agency. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ a b c "Chief Coach of Female Judo". Korea Today. No. 6. 2001. p. [42]. ISSN 0454-4072.
- ^ a b North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 492.
- ^ "Reliable Ace". Naenara. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ "[Annotated full list of elected MP's]" (XLS). North Korean Economy Watch. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ "Player No. 20". Naenara. 13 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ a b North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 491.
- ^ Choe 2016, p. 28.
- ^ "Tumbling Coach". Naenara. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
- ^ a b Ri Sung Ik (28 December 2017). "Coach grooms famous woman footballers". The Pyongyang Times. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ "Gymnastics Ace". Naenara. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
Works cited edit
- Choe Kwang Ho (2016). "Laudable Women Coaches". Pictorial Korea. Vol. 723, no. 3. pp. 28–29. ISSN 1727-9208.
- North Korea Handbook. Seoul: Yonhap News Agency. 2002. ISBN 978-0-7656-3523-5.