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Om Yun-Chool won gold at London 2012 and thanked North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il for his support at the time.

In 2012, he said: "The reason for my improvement and how I won the gold medal is down to the warm love of the Great Leader Kim Jong-Il and the Great Comrade Kim Jong-Un."

But by losing out to Chinese lifter Long Qingquan, Yun-Chool this year felt he had let down the entire population of the secretive communist state.

(Image: GETTY)

Yun-Chool said: "He [Kim Jong-un] will be my inspiration forever and I'm sorry that I wasn't able to repay with a gold medal.

"I don't think I can be a hero to my people with a silver medal."

New North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had demanded the nation's athletes won at least five golds at the Rio Games.

The 56kg lifter has vowed to return stronger, saying he would attempt to rectify his performance at every future event to repay the faith shown in him by his nation's leader.

He said: "This includes all championships and competitions that take place from next year all the way to 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games."

North Korea was embroiled in fresh controversy at the Games.

(Image: REUTERS)

One of its gymnasts – Hong Un Jong – could face harsh punishment on return to her country after she posed for hugs and selfies with a South Korean athlete.

The move could be seen as treason – according to some Korean commentators.

It comes as as tensions rise over North Korea's nuclear programme with Japan, America and South Korea all being under a severe threat.