1. Overview
Kim Yong-suk is a North Korean figure skater born on June 12, 1979, in Pyongyang, North Korea. A prominent national athlete, she achieved six national titles at the North Korean Figure Skating Championships and represented her country at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Her international career also includes a gold medal at the Triglav Trophy and a fourth-place finish at the 2003 Winter Asian Games. Her name in Hangul is 김영숙Korean and its Revised Romanization is Gim Yeongsuk, while its McCune-Reischauer romanization is Kim Yŏngsuk.
2. Early Life and Background
Kim Yong-suk was born on June 12, 1979, in Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea. While details such as her coach, Kim Se-yeol, and her height of 59 in (150 cm) are officially recorded, specific information regarding her training location or professional occupation beyond figure skating is not widely known.
3. Figure Skating Career
Kim Yong-suk enjoyed a successful figure skating career, competing extensively in both domestic and international arenas, which culminated in her representing North Korea at the Olympic Games.
3.1. Domestic Competitions
Kim Yong-suk was a dominant force in North Korean figure skating. She secured the national championship title at the North Korean Figure Skating Championships an impressive six times, winning in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.
3.2. International Competitions
Kim Yong-suk's international appearances spanned several years, showcasing her talent on a broader stage and ultimately leading to her qualification for the Olympic Games.
3.2.1. Early International Appearances (2003-2005)
Kim Yong-suk's debut at a major international senior competition was in February 2003 at the 2003 Winter Asian Games held in Aomori, Japan. There, she achieved a notable fourth place in the women's singles event, finishing behind Japanese medalists Shizuka Arakawa, Fumie Suguri, and Yukari Nakano.
The following year, in April 2004, Kim competed at the Triglav Trophy in Jesenice, Slovenia. She demonstrated strong performances in both the short program and the free skating, securing first place in both segments and earning the gold medal.
In the 2005-06 figure skating season, Kim participated in the Karl Schäfer Memorial (KSM) in Vienna, Austria, an event designated as an Olympic qualifying competition. She finished in second place, directly behind Liu Yan of China, which successfully earned North Korea a quota spot for the 2006 Winter Olympics. At this competition, Kim achieved her personal best scores, including a short program score of 46.68, a free skating score of 83.94, and a combined total score of 130.62 points.
3.2.2. 2006 Winter Olympics
Kim Yong-suk represented North Korea at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, marking a significant milestone in her career. Her participation made her the third North Korean female singles skater to compete at the Olympics, following Ri Kyong-ok who competed at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.
In the short program, Kim performed a triple lutz-double toe loop combination jump and a successful double Axel jump. However, she committed an error on her flip jump, under-rotating and touching the ice with her hand, and a spiral element was not fully recognized. She ultimately placed 27th in the short program with a score of 39.16 points, which meant she did not advance to the free skating segment of the competition.
3.2.3. Post-Olympic Activities and Retirement
Following her Olympic appearance, Kim Yong-suk was scheduled to participate in her second Asian Winter Games at the 2007 Asian Winter Games in Changchun, China, in February 2007. However, she withdrew from the competition before it began. She also did not enter the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships held in Tokyo, Japan, in March 2007, indicating the conclusion of her competitive figure skating career.
4. Major Results and Records
Kim Yong-suk's competitive record includes multiple national titles and notable international placements.
| Event | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics | 27th | ||||||
| Asian Games | 4th | WD | |||||
| Schäfer Memorial | 2nd | ||||||
| Triglav Trophy | 1st | ||||||
| North Korean Champ. | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 10-26, 2006 | 2006 Winter Olympics | 27th (39.16) | - | 27th |
| October 12-16, 2005 | Karl Schäfer Memorial (Vienna) | 2nd (46.68) | 2nd (83.94) | 2nd (130.62) |
| April 14-18, 2004 | Triglav Trophy (Jesenice) | 1st | 1st | 1st |
WD = Withdrew
5. Assessment and Legacy
Kim Yong-suk stands as a significant figure in North Korean figure skating history, primarily recognized for her consistent national dominance and her representation of North Korea at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Her six national championships underscore her long-standing prowess within her home country. Her ability to secure an Olympic quota spot through the Karl Schäfer Memorial and her subsequent participation in the Olympics highlight her as one of the few North Korean female singles skaters to reach this international stage. While her international competitive career was relatively brief and did not yield Olympic medals, her consistent presence at major events like the Winter Asian Games and her victory at the Triglav Trophy reflect her competitive skill and dedication to the sport. Her legacy is defined by her national achievements and her role in maintaining North Korea's presence in international figure skating competitions during her active years.