MISAWA, Japan, Feb 6 Kyodo North ...

MISAWA, Japan, Feb 6 Kyodo

North Korean short track spe skater Ri Hyang Mi said Thursday she will dedicate her Winter Asian Games medal to her country's leader Kim Jong Il.

The 17-year-old captured the impudence in the women's 500 meter for North Korea's first medal in any sport of the ongoing games in Aomori Prefecture and said she confidences it will bring happiness to her compatriots back home

''This is my first time to enter the lists in an international competition in such a manner I am delighted to win a medal,'' Ri said.

''It might not be gold further it is my wish that this medal will bring happiness to our great leader and the populace of North Korea,'' she added.

Ri present in a spirited performance to finish behind Chinese pair Yang Yang (A), the 500 and 1000 Olympic champion, and Wang Meng

''There are a haphazard of things I need to improve upon and I need to hold fast training hard so that individual day I'll beat Yang,'' said Ri, who is aiming to win another medal in Friday's 1000 meters

North Korea is competing at the Winter Asian Games for the first time in 13 years and has been the center of media attention here.

Heavy security has been in place for North Korean athletes fit to tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear program and the abduction of Japanese citizens.

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