The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) marched into the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday night.

The DPRK first participated in the Summer Games in 1972 in Munich. The country has always won at least two medals at every Summer Games it has attended since Munich, with the sports of wrestling and boxing providing the most success.

The DPRK collected five medals in 1972, including its first Olympic gold won by rifle shooter Li Ho Jun.

The country's most successful Olympian is judoka Sun Hui Kye, who won three medals over different weight classes at the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Games.

Before the Beijing Olympics, the DPRK has won eight gold medals, 11 silver medals and 16 bronze medals.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)