It won four golds and two bronzes in the London Olympiad. The winners are female judoist An Kum Ae, male weightlifters Kim Un Guk and Om Yun Chol and female weightlifter Rim Jong Sim. The gold medalists were awarded the title of DPRK Labor Hero.

The DPRK girls took the titles in the 2012 Four-nation Women's Soccer Invitation, U-19 International Women's Soccer "Spring of Kuban" and the AFC Challenger Cup Tournament.

It was qualified for the AFC U-22 Soccer Championship with four wins and one draw in five matches.

Kim Un Hwa was awarded Adidas Gold Boot in the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup while Ri Un Sim Adidas Gold Boot and Ri Hyang Sim Adidas Silver Ball in the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

The DPRK athletes also proved successful in such events as judo, boxing, table tennis, figure skating, athletics and wrestling at other world championships and international tournaments.