North Korea men's national ice hockey team

The North Korean national ice hockey team (Korean: 조선민주주의인민공화국 아이스하키 국가대표팀) is the national men's ice hockey team of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and represent the country in IIHF competition. They withdrew from the 2007 World Championships, and therefore were automatically relegated to Division III in the 2008 edition, where they finished first. They then played in Division II during the 2009 edition, and finished last bringing them back down to Division III for 2010. They are currently ranked 41st in the IIHF World Rankings.[3]

North Korea
AssociationIce Hockey Association of the DPR Korea
Head coachSong Chung-song[1]
AssistantsPak Kun-hyok
Yun Pong-chol
CaptainKim Kwang-ho
Most gamesRi Pong-il (58)
Top scorerHong Chun-rim (37)
Most pointsRi Chol-min (69)
Team colors     
IIHF codePRK
Ranking
Current IIHF45 4 (30 March 2022)[2]
Highest IIHF36 (first in 2005)
Lowest IIHF45 (first in 2011)
First international
Italy  11–2  North Korea
(Grenoble, France; 8 March 1974)
Biggest win
North Korea  22–1  Mongolia
(Yerevan, Armenia; 14 April 2010)
North Korea  22–1  Georgia
(Luxembourg, Luxembourg; 6 April 2014)
Biggest defeat
France  24–1  North Korea
(Budapest, Hungary; 15 March 1983)
IIHF World Championships
Appearances28 (first in 1974)
Best result21st (1990)
Asian Winter Games
Appearances3 (first in 1986)
Best result4th (1986, 1990)
International record (W–L–T)
71–112–6
North Korea men's national ice hockey team
Hangul
조선민주주의인민공화국 아이스하키 국가대표팀
Hanja
朝鮮民主主義人民共和國 아이스하키 國歌代表팀
Revised RomanizationJoseon Minjujuui Inmin Gonghwaguk Aiseuhaki Gukga Daepyo Tim
McCune–ReischauerChosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Aisŭhak'i Kukka Taep'yo T'im

History

The game of ice hockey in North Korea became popular during the 1950s when Soviet and Chinese workers taught the game and its rules in the capital city of Pyongyang. The Ice Hockey Association of North Korea was founded in 1955. North Korea became a member of the IIHF on 8 August 1964. North Korea's first national championship was held in 1956 and was won by Amnokgang Pyongyang. The North Korean national team did not make its debut until 1974 when it competed in the C pool of the World Championships. The team lost its first game to Italy 11–2 on 8 March 1974, but rebounded for a surprising victory over China.

Withdrawal from 2011 IIHF tournaments

DPR Korea announced that their women's and men's teams were not going to compete in IIHF competition due to financial reasons. The men's team was scheduled to participate at the Div II championships in Melbourne, Australia, while the women's team was scheduled to participate at the Div II championship in Caen, France.

Tournament participation

World Championships
  • 1974 – 22nd place (8th in Pool C)
  • 1981 – 23rd place (7th in Pool C)
  • 1983 – 24th place (8th in Pool C)
  • 1985 – 23rd place (7th in Pool C)
  • 1986 – 23rd place (7th in Pool C)
  • 1987 – 22nd place (6th in Pool C)
  • 1989 – 22nd place (6th in Pool C)
  • 1990 – 21st place (5th in Pool C)
  • 1991 – 23rd place (7th in Pool C)
  • 1992 – 22nd place (2nd in Pool C, Group A)
  • 1993 – 26th place (6th in Pool C)
  • 2002 – 41st place (1st in Division II qualification)
  • 2003 – 35th place (4th in Division II, Group B)
  • 2004 – 34th place (3rd in Division II, Group B)
  • 2005 – 34th place (3rd in Division II, Group B)
  • 2006 – 36th place (4th in Division II, Group B)
  • 2007 – Withdrew from tournament, relegated to Division III
  • 2008 – 41st place (1st in Division III) Promoted to Division II
  • 2009 – 39th place (6th in Division II, Group A) Relegated to Division III
  • 2010 – 42nd place (1st in Division III, Group B) Promoted to Division II
  • 2011 – Withdrew from Division II
  • 2012 – 42nd place (2nd in Division III)
  • 2013 – 42nd place (2nd in Division III)
  • 2014 – 42nd place (2nd in Division III)
  • 2015 – 41st place (1st in Division III) Promoted to Division II B
  • 2016 – 39th place (5th in Division II B)
  • 2017 – 38th place (4th in Division II B)
  • 2018 – 38th place (4th in Division II B)
  • 2019 – 40th place (6th in Division II, Group B) Relegated to Division III A
  • 2020 – Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[4]
  • 2021 – Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[5]
  • 2022 – Withdrawn due to the COVID-19 pandemic[6]

Asian Winter Games

References
  1. "Chung-Song Song profile". Eurohockey.com. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  2. "IIHF Men's World Ranking". IIHF. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  3. "DPR Korea". IIHF. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  4. "Men's Division II, III cancelled". IIHF. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  5. "IIHF – IIHF Council announces more cancellations". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  6. "DPR Korea withdraws teams". IIHF.com. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
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