North Korea ranked seventh in the medals count at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon after winning 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals, its best performance since coming ninth in Busan in 2002.

The last time the North won more than 10 gold medals was in the 1990 Asiad in Bejing with 12.

North Korea's outstanding performance this year seems due to the regime's focus on sports since leader Kim Jong-un, an enthusiast, came to power in 2012. The North has been using sports to boost national cohesion as well as a diplomatic tool to improve relations with other countries.

Kim said in July that athletes would play an important role in improving inter-Korean relations by participating in the Asian Games.