N.Korea Olympic squad returns to heroes' welcome

SEOUL (AFP) –

This file photo shows North Korea’s Rim Jong Sim waving on the podium with her gold medal for the women’s 69kg group A weightlifting event at The Excel Centre in London, on August 1. N.Korea’s Olympic squad has returned home to a heroes’ welcome, with cheering crowds lining the streets and the cabinet hosting a celebration banquet, according to the official news agency.

North Korea’s Olympic squad has returned home to a heroes’ welcome, with cheering crowds lining the streets and the cabinet hosting a celebration banquet, according to the official news agency.

The North won four gold medals and two bronze at the London Games, finishing 20th in the table in the country’s best result since Barcelona in 1992, and its athletes have credited the ruling dynasty for their strong performance.

After an enthusiastic welcome at the airport Thursday, the squad took a bus tour of the capital and “were warmly welcomed by Pyongyangites from all walks of life”, the news agency said late Thursday.

Prime Minister Choe Yong-Rim and other top officials later presided over a banquet for the sports stars. The gold medallists had glorified “the great era of Kim Jong-Un”, Vice-Premier Kim Yong-Jin said in a speech.

Weightlifting victor Kim Un-Guk reiterated his determination to win more golds to “be true to the behests of leader Kim Jong-Il and live up to the profound love and trust shown by Marshal Kim Jong-Un”, the agency said.

Kim Jong-Un took over as supreme leader after his father Kim Jong-Il died last December.