NORTH Korean athletes who please Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un could be in line for luxury flats, cars and even fridges. Cruel punishments for those who perform poorly have been alleged for decades - but on the flip side, medal winners can expect to be treated like royalty on their return. Some of the totalitarian nation's star athletes were in 2013 rewarded for dominating their events at the London Games the year prior.
State news agency KCNA reported several athletes moved into luxury homes along the Pothong River, which flows through capital city Pyongyang. Luxury cars - and even fridges - were also up for grabs for those who performed well, a stark contrast from the sceptre of forced labour for failure. Gold medallists in London 2012 included Om Yun-chul, An Kum-ae and Kim Un-guk.
Champion weightlifter Om was ecstatic at the time, thanking Jong-un for his "deep-loving care". According to KCNA he said: "We sportspersons could exalt the dignity and honour of Songun (military-first) Korea with gold medals in international games thanks to the deep loving care of Kim Jong-un , who has always led us in each match, instilling strength and courage into us. Long-distance runner Kim Kum-ok was also given a luxury apartment and was reportedly brought to tears.
She told KCNA: "I could hardly enter the flat as every room of the wonderful flat is associated with the profound loving care of the Marshal (Jong-un) and I was deeply touched by the benevolence under the grateful socialist syste.