People's Athlete Explained

Current Awards:-->
Image Upright:-->
Venue:or
Site:-->
Country:North Korea
Hosts:-->
Holder:c. 200 sportspeople
Winner:or
Winners:-->
Most Wins:-->
Network List:-->
Ratings:-->
Rr:Inmin cheyugin
Mr:Inmin ch'eyugin
Context:north

People's Athlete is a North Korean honorary title awarded to sportspeople. It was created in 1966. It is usually reserved to those who have won in the Olympic Games or have won a world championship, as it is the most prestigious award for North Korean sportspeople.

The title is closely connected with the North Korea national football team. The title was instituted after their achievements in the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Victories in the FIFA World Cups are rewarded with the title, as well as the right to live in the capital Pyongyang, including to one's family members.[1] Because of this and since the women's football team has done better recently, the more experienced coaches prefer to work with them rather than with the men's football team.[2]

Another similar award is the Merited Athlete.

History

The title was instituted on 8 October 1966[3] by the Supreme People's Assembly. Its establishment was prompted by the North Korea national football team's success in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, where it had reached the quarter-final stage in July. The first people to receive the title were members of the team Pak Doo-ik and Shin Yung-kyoo, as well as Sin Kim-dan, a runner.[3]

It was rumored in 2010 that football coach Kim Jong-hun's award was rescinded for losing a game against Portugal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.[4]

Cho Dae-won became the first baduk (Go) player to receive the award in October 2013.

, a People's Athlete is paid a 200-won monthly wage. The sum is far greater than that of an ordinary office worker who was typically paid around 70 won.[5], around 200 people have received the title during the 45 years that had passed since its establishment.[6] Whenever the title is conferred, the recipient also receives the Order of the National Flag, first class. Overseas Koreans have received the award, too. For instance Hong Chang-su, Jong Tae-se and An Yong-hak are North Koreans living in Japan who have been named People's Athletes.[6]

List of People's Athletes

See main article: category.

See also

References

Works cited

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ask a Korean! News: North Korean Soccer (Part I) . T. K. . Ask a Korean! . 13 July 2010 . 18 April 2016 . Blogspot .
  2. Web site: Ask a Korean! News: North Korean Soccer (Part III) . T. K. . Ask a Korean! . 4 August 2010 . 18 April 2016 . Blogspot .
  3. Web site: Chests Full of Brass: A DPRK Political History in Orders, Medals, Prizes, and Titles . Weiser . Martin . Sino-NK . 8 January 2016 . 18 April 2016 .
  4. Web site: Pyongyang Sources Doubt Kim Jong Hun Rumors . Choi Yong Sang . . 2 August 2010 . 18 April 2016 .
  5. ROK Outshines N.K. in 8 Sports. 1–26. Korea Newsreview. 13. 1984. The Korea Herald. Seoul. 473441715. 217.
  6. Web site: Sportspersons Honored with Title of People's Athlete. KCNA. 8 December 2011. 18 April 2016.
  7. Web site: North embraces baduk even in kindergartens . Lee Young-jong . . 10 September 2014 . 18 April 2016 .
  8. Web site: HONG Un Jong . database.fig-gymnastics.com . 15 April 2016 . 18 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160811100128/https://database.fig-gymnastics.com/public/gymnasts/biography/6015/true?backUrl=%2Fpublic%2Fresults%2Fdisplay%2F544%3FidAgeCategory%3D4%26idCategory%3D66%23anchor_40703 . 11 August 2016 . dead . dmy-all .
  9. Web site: Archived copy . 23 April 2021 . 23 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210423034903/http://naenara.com.kp/en/news/?10+608 . dead .
  10. Web site: NK Awards Football Team for Reaching World Cup . . 3 November 2009 . 18 April 2016 .
  11. Web site: North Korea Newsletter No. 375 (Aug. 13, 2015) . . 13 August 2015 . 18 April 2016 .
  12. Choe Kwang-ho. May 2015. Renowned Football Coach. Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 713. 32–33. 1727-9208.
  13. Web site: Kye Sun Hui pinned high hope to win gold at Olympics for DPRK . An . Xinhua . 30 July 2008 . 18 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080814032943/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/30/content_8847494.htm . dead . 14 August 2008 .
  14. Web site: Thought About Fist and Soul . Mun Ung-jun . . 28 February 2016 . 18 April 2016 .
  15. Web site: Weightlifting Enthusiasm Runs High in DPRK . . 4 August 2012 . 18 April 2016 . 12 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141012080330/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2012/201208/news04/20120804-21ee.html .
  16. Web site: DPRK top leader congratulates top woman soccer player's wedding . People's Daily Online . 15 April 2009 . 18 April 2016 . 6 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160506173035/http://en.people.cn/90002/96905/96906/6637798.html . dead .
  17. Book: Yonhap News Agency, Seoul. North Korea Handbook. 27 December 2002. M.E. Sharpe. 978-0-7656-3523-5. 135.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "People's Athlete".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.