In the London Summer Olympics, North Korean athletes fared well in weighlifting and judo, but did poorly in other events, including wrestling and boxing.
Yang Kyeong-il won the bronze medal in men’s 55kg freestyle wrestling.
Previously, North Korea held its ground in wrestling, boxing and gymnastics as well as weightlifting events which do not rely on up-to-date equipment, according to South Korean athletic officials participating in the London Games.
However, North Korea won the largest number of gold medals in the London Games since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. It took three golds in weightlifting and one gold in judo plus two bronzes.
Om Yun-chol claimed the men's under-56 kg weightlifting gold with a remarkable world record-equalling clean and jerk.
In a tactical move to put pressure on two-time world champion Wu Jingbiao of China, Om opted to join the morning's B group - usually for lifters hoisting lesser weights than the afternoon A group.
Kim Un-guk grabbed the gold medal in the men's under-62kg weightlifting class. Kim equalled one world record in the snatch and broke another in the total.
Rim Jong-sim relied on her superior clean and jerk to win the women's under-69kg class, the reclusive nation's third gold of the Olympic weightlifting competition.
An Kum-ae continued North Korea's fine record in Olympic women's judo by winning the under-52kg division.
In winning gold, she became the second North Korean woman after Kye Sun-hui to claim an Olympic crown. Ryang Chun-hwa nabbed a bronze in the women's 48kg category.
In the Barcelona Olympics, North Korea grabbed four gold and five bronze.
Before the opening of the London Olympics late last month, South Korean athletic officials said that North Korea will win few gold medals, but took much more than expected.
According to the London Olympics organizing committee, North Korea dispatched 56 athletes in 10 events weightlifting, judo, wrestling, swimming, archery, track & field, boxing, table tennis, shooting and women’s football. The participating athletes were 15 males and 41 females.