North Korea athletes at Iran archery event take gold, silver and bronze

Nov. 21 (UPI) -- North Korean athletes in Iran won gold, silver and bronze medals at the first CISM World Military Archery Championships in Tehran, according to Pyongyang's state media.

KCNA reported Tuesday North Korean athletes took part in the event at Azaki Sports Complex in the Iranian capital from Nov. 13 to 15.

Iran's Mehr news agency reported last week 100 men and women athletes from Iran, China, Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, Sri Lanka and Brazil were participating in the event.

North Korean athlete Kang Un Ju won the gold medal during a women's competition, and Pak Yong Won was awarded a silver medal in a men's competition.

In total, North Korea took one gold medal, two silver medals and one bronze medal at the competition in Iran.

North Korea has frequently used sports exchanges as part of its diplomatic engagements with the outside world.

Kim Jong Un sent athletes to the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, a move that culminated in fast-moving inter-Korea exchange and summits this year.

Sports were recently used to improve relations between Pyongyang and Tokyo.

The Japanese government is expected to make an exception to its ban against North Koreans entering the country, ahead of the annual general assembly meeting of the Association of National Olympic Committees to be held in Tokyo from Nov. 28 to 29.

Kim Il Gu, president of North Korea's national olympic committee, could be allowed to attend the event, according to the Asahi Shimbun.