PARIS, France — China recently played against "PRK" in the table tennis Olympics finals and won gold 4-2. But who did they win against?
"PRK" in the Olympics represents North Korea, or the People's Republic of Korea.
In 1948, North Korea adopted a new, official name under former President Kim II Sung to distinguish itself from South Korea, which is formally known as the Republic of Korea, or KOR, at the Olympics. North Korea officially became the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or PRK, at the Olympics.
Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha from China won gold against Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong from North Korea, who won silver, in mixed doubles.
What's the history of table tennis in the Olympics?
Table tennis held its first game at the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988, with singles and doubles for men and women. Team competition replaced doubles in 2008 and then was expanded for the 2020 Tokyo Games to include mixed doubles, according to the Olympics.
Until the mid-20th century, table tennis was dominated by central European countries like Austria and Germany. Since it has become part of the Olympics, however, athletes who represent China have prevailed. The country has won 60 medals, including 32 golds, at the Games.
China has won one gold medal in table tennis in the 2024 games, and the People's Republic of Korea has won one silver. The Republic of Korea won one bronze.
North Korea will play its last table tennis game against Puerto Rico in women's singles at 9 a.m. Eastern on July 31.
