Most Popular
-
1
Dongduk Women’s University halts coeducation talks
-
2
Defense ministry denies special treatment for BTS’ V amid phone use allegations
-
3
Russia sent 'anti-air' missiles to Pyongyang, Yoon's aide says
-
4
OpenAI in talks with Samsung to power AI features, report says
-
5
Two jailed for forcing disabled teens into prostitution
-
6
South Korean military plans to launch new division for future warfare
-
7
Gold bars and cash bundles; authorities confiscate millions from tax dodgers
-
8
Trump picks ex-N. Korea policy official as his principal deputy national security adviser
-
9
Kia EV9 GT marks world debut at LA Motor Show
-
10
Teen smoking, drinking decline, while mental health, dietary habits worsen
[Asian Games] North Korean ping-pong legend injured in car accident: report
By 정주원Published : Oct. 2, 2014 - 10:02
Li Bun-hee, a former North Korean table tennis star, has been seriously injured in a car accident in Pyongyang, a U.S. news report said Thursday,.
If true, she is unlikely to attend the upcoming Incheon Asian Para Games to the disappointment of many South Koreans.
Li, currently chief of North Korea's disabled athletes association, is popular not only in the communist nation but also in South Korea. Li played on a unified Korea team in the 1991 table tennis championships. She played with Hyun Jung-hwa, a South Korean ping-pong legend, to win the women's doubles title.
Li's sedan hit a truck in the North's capital on Sept. 25, breaking her neck, according to the Voice of America (VOA). She is now in the hospital, it added, quoting Lee Seok-hee, a pastor leading a London-based North Korea relief agency.
Lee told the VOA that the British Embassy in Pyongyang has confirmed Li's injury.
She was scheduled to visit Britain late this month, along with North Korea's disabled students for performances at Oxford University and Cambridge University.
Li was also widely expected to join the Incheon Asian Para Games to be held in the South Korean port city from Oct. 18-24, leading the North's delegation.
Pyongyang said it will send nine athletes to the games, the reclusive nation's first participation at an Asian Para Games.
The North's decision raised expectations for the first meeting between Li and Hyun in 23 years.
On Wednesday, Hyun resigned from the post of the head of the athletes' village for the Asian Para Games after being booked without physical detention for causing a car accident while driving under the influence of alcohol. (Yonhap)
If true, she is unlikely to attend the upcoming Incheon Asian Para Games to the disappointment of many South Koreans.
Li, currently chief of North Korea's disabled athletes association, is popular not only in the communist nation but also in South Korea. Li played on a unified Korea team in the 1991 table tennis championships. She played with Hyun Jung-hwa, a South Korean ping-pong legend, to win the women's doubles title.
Li's sedan hit a truck in the North's capital on Sept. 25, breaking her neck, according to the Voice of America (VOA). She is now in the hospital, it added, quoting Lee Seok-hee, a pastor leading a London-based North Korea relief agency.
Lee told the VOA that the British Embassy in Pyongyang has confirmed Li's injury.
She was scheduled to visit Britain late this month, along with North Korea's disabled students for performances at Oxford University and Cambridge University.
Li was also widely expected to join the Incheon Asian Para Games to be held in the South Korean port city from Oct. 18-24, leading the North's delegation.
Pyongyang said it will send nine athletes to the games, the reclusive nation's first participation at an Asian Para Games.
The North's decision raised expectations for the first meeting between Li and Hyun in 23 years.
On Wednesday, Hyun resigned from the post of the head of the athletes' village for the Asian Para Games after being booked without physical detention for causing a car accident while driving under the influence of alcohol. (Yonhap)
