North Korea opened this year’s Spring National Sports Festival in Pyongyang, state media reported on Wednesday.
Footage released by state news agency KCNA, which Reuters could not independently confirm, shows Physical Culture and Sports Minister Kim Il-guk addressing the opening ceremony on Tuesday (March 17), as well as attendees watching a basketball game.
North Korea kicked off this year’s Spring National Sports Festival in Pyongyang, state media reported, with participants competing in about 540 games of 30 categories. pic.twitter.com/yxWYmvFGDR
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 18, 2026
During the festival, professional and amateur athletes will compete in about 540 games in 30 disciplines, including football, basketball, volleyball, weightlifting, gymnastics and taekwondo, according to KCNA.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made sports the focus of his plan to improve living standards.
Since he took power in 2011, allocations to sports in the state budget have grown faster than most other sectors, according to state media reports.
(Vijesti.ba)
