Merited Athlete


Merited Athlete is an honorary title of North Korea given to sports persons. 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". A typical achievement is winning a regional competition in Asia. The title was instituted in November 1960.
, Merited Athletes are paid a 70-won monthly pension after they retire at age 60, equivalent to an ordinary office worker's pay. Merited Athletes have also been given luxurious apartments. A Merited Athlete may become a sporting coach if they complete a four-year course at the Korean Athletics University.
Sports persons may also be awarded the titles of People's Athlete or.

Recipients

In 2001, the Korean Central News Agency 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., around 200 people in total had receive the title of People's Athlete.

List

NameOccupationNotes
Cha Hyon-hyangfemale judokacoached by Ri Song-cho
Choe Chang-sopmarathonerwinner of the Košice Peace Marathon in 1975
Ji Kyong-sunfemale judokacoached by Ri Song-cho
Jon Chol-howeightlifter
Kim Chol-jinweightlifterDisciple of Han Kyong-thae and coach of Kwon Yong-gwang
Kim Hyon-huitable tennis player
Kim Kum-silfemale footballersubsequentially member of the Supreme People's Assembly
Kim So-hyangfootballerNorth Korea women's national under-20 football team player excelling at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
Ku Yong-joboxerCompeted in the bantamweight category.
Mun Gyong-aemarathonerawarded for outstanding performances
North Korea 1966 FIFA World Cup squad playersfootballersAlmost all players of the squad were awarded the title.
Pak Chong-jongbasketball player
Pak Kwang-bokgymnastics coachRhythmic gymnastics coach of the Kigwancha Sports Club
Pak Sun-nyotumbling coachCoach of Ri Chol-jun, Kim Un-hak, and other gymnasts
Ri Byong-ukboxerCompeted in the light flyweight category.
Ri Hyang-simfemale footballercoached by Kim Kyong-hui
Ri Myong-hwafemale judokacoached by Ri Song-cho
Ri Se-gwangartistic gymnastNational champion in floor, rings and vaulting horse, and gold medalist at the 2006 Asian Games and 2008 World Cup in gymnastics
Ri Ye-gyongfemale footballercoached by Kim Kyong-hui

Works cited