North Korea men's national ice hockey team

North Korea

Association	Ice Hockey Association of the DPR Korea
Head coach	Pak Chang-dok
Assistants	Yun Pong-chol
IIHF code	PRK
IIHF ranking	43
Highest IIHF ranking	36 (first in 2005)
Lowest IIHF ranking	44 (first in 2007)
First international
Italy 11 - 2 North Korea (Grenoble, France; March 8, 1974)
Biggest win
North Korea 22 - 1 Mongolia (Yerevan, Armenia; April 14, 2010)
Biggest defeat
France 24 - 1 North Korea (Budapest, Hungary; March 15, 1983)
Asian Winter Games
Appearances	3 (first in 1986)
Best result	4th (1986, 1990)
International record (W-L-T)
46-86-5

The North Korean men's national ice hockey team are a national selects team that plays yearly in the Ice Hockey World Championships. They withdrew from the 2007 edition, and therefore were automatically relegated to Division III in the 2008 edition, where they finished first. They will therefore play in Division II during the 2009 edition.

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 August 8 1964. North Korea's first national Championship was held in 1956 and was won by Amnokang Pyonyang. 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 March 8th, 1974, but rebounded for surprising victories over China and Australia.

Tournament participation

• 1974 - 22nd place (8th in Pool C)
• 1975-80 - did not participate
• 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 - 14th place (2nd in Pool C, Group A)
• 1993 - 22nd place (6th in Pool C)
• 1994-02 - did not participate
• 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

Asian Winter Games

At the recent 6th Asian Winter Games, held in Changchun, China, the men's team was placed a respectable 5th position, behind the four major powers of Asian ice hockey.

The women's team finished 4th out of a possible five places, encouragingly being placed higher than their historically superior neighbours South Korea.

2008 World Championship team

Pos.	No.	Player	DoB (Age)	Team
GK	67	Pak Kun-Hyok	(1988-01-01)January 1, 1988	Pyongyang
GK	66	Pae Myong-Nam	(1982-12-25)December 25, 1982	Pyongchol
D	3	Kim Jin-Hyok	(1982-12-23)December 23, 1982	Ryanggang
D	6	Ri Sun-Il	(1985-09-24)September 24, 1985	Pyongyang
D	7	Ku Song-Min	(1988-01-14)January 14, 1988	Pyongchol
D	10	Ri Pong-Il	(1988-09-29)September 29, 1988	Pyongyang
D	15	Jang Myong-Jin	(1981-01-02)January 2, 1981	Susan
D	21	Kim Kwang-Hyok	(1987-02-07)February 7, 1987	Susan
F	9	Ri Se-Gwang	(1988-07-01)July 1, 1988	Pyongyang
F	12	Kim Chol-Bom	(1985-02-13)February 13, 1985	Pyongyang
F	13	Ju Sung-Hyok	(1983-01-02)January 2, 1983	Pyongchol
F	14	Mun Chol	(1987-04-13)April 13, 1987	Pyongchol
F	16	Ri Kum-Song	(1988-12-14)December 14, 1988	Pyongyang
F	17	Ri Chol-Min	(1980-08-07)August 7, 1980	Pyongyang
F	18	Kim Chang-Min	(1988-08-15)August 15, 1988	Susan
F	19	Song Chung-Song	(1984-05-28)May 28, 1984	Pyongchol
F	23	Kim Kyong-Il	(1987-12-01)December 1, 1987	Pyongchol
F	24	Jong Song-Il	(1988-09-07)September 7, 1988	Pyongchol

• Head coach: Pak Chang-Dok