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 (32-dollar) 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
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 Nor ...
or .
Recipients
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
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 Nor ...
since 1986. , around 200 people in total had received the title of People's Athlete.
List
See also
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Orders and medals of North Korea
The award system of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) was initially created less than one month after the foundation of the Republic. During the years of Japanese occupation of Korea, many of the future leaders fled to the S ...
*
Sport in North Korea
Historically, North Korea's participation in international sporting events has been hindered by the relations with South Korea. Until the 1990s, North Korea used to host up to 14 international events every year, albeit in small scale. Since th ...
*
''The Game of Their Lives'' (2002 film)
References
Works cited
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Further reading
*{{cite book, author=Kim Jong-il, title=On Popularizing Physical Training and Sport and Developing Sporting Skills Rapidly: Talk to the Officials in the Field of Physical Training and Sport, May 19, 1986, url=https://www.korea-dpr.com/lib/Kim%20Jong%20Il%20-%204/ON%20POPULARIZING%20PHYSICAL%20TRAINING%20AND%20SPORT%20AND%20DEVELOPING%20SPORTING%20SKILLS%20RAPIDLY.pdf, year=1989, publisher=
Foreign Languages Publishing House, location=Pyongyang, oclc=869091620
1960 establishments in North Korea
Awards established in 1960
Orders, decorations, and medals of North Korea
Sport in North Korea
Sports trophies and awards
Honorary titles