Ri Hak is the heartbeat of North Korea’s national women’s football team, combining high-level skill with the physical toughness of a professional soldier. As the main creative player for both her country and the famous April 25 Sports Club, she has become the key link between a successful past and an exciting new future for the team known as the Chollima. Whether she is scoring long-range goals or setting up teammates with perfect passes, Ri Hak is the player who makes things happen when the pressure is at its highest.
At a Glance
- Full Name: Ri Hak
- Date of Birth: 2002
- Place of Birth: DPR Korea
- Position: Midfielder / Forward
- Current Club: April 25 Sports Club (4.25 SC)
- National Team: DPR Korea
The Story So Far
Ri Hak’s journey to the top of Asian football started very early. By the age of 16, she was already playing against the best in the world at the 2018 U-20 Women’s World Cup. Facing much older players from powerhouses like England and Brazil, she showed she had the talent and the grit to compete on the global stage. Her breakout moment came just a year later in 2019, when she helped her country win the gold medal at the Summer Universiade in Italy, proving she was a winner before she even hit her twenties.
When the world slowed down during the pandemic, Ri Hak and her team disappeared from international view for over three years. While many thought this would make the team rusty, the opposite was true. Training under strict conditions at the April 25 Sports Club in Pyongyang, Ri Hak used that time to become faster and stronger. When she finally returned for the Asian Games in 2023, she looked better than ever, leading a dominant 17-0 combined victory over Singapore to open the tournament.
The most famous moment of her career so far came during the Korean Derby against South Korea in the quarter-finals. With her team trailing and the pressure mounting, Ri Hak stepped up to hit a world-class free kick that left the goalkeeper standing still. She then finished the job with a powerful long-range strike in the 90th minute to seal a 4-1 win. Although the team narrowly missed out on a spot at the 2024 Olympics after a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Japan, Ri Hak’s performances proved she is one of the elite players in the region.
Style of Play & Tactical Analysis
Ri Hak is a rare type of player who can do two jobs at once: she has the soft touch of a playmaker but works as hard as a defensive ball-winner. She wears the number 10 jersey and likes to find space between the opponent’s midfield and defense where she can cause the most damage. She is often the one who starts the team’s high press, sprinting to chase down defenders and force them into mistakes.
Her greatest weapon is her ability with a dead ball. Ri Hak is the team’s first choice for free kicks and corners, using a direct and curling technique with her right foot to find the danger zone in the box. Because she is so fit, she can maintain this high-intensity style for the full 90 minutes, which is why so many of her big moments happen late in the game when other players are getting tired.
Future Outlook
At 23 years old, Ri Hak is entering the best years of her career. She is now the bridge between the older leaders and a brilliant new generation of players who recently won the U-20 World Cup. With her experience and winning mindset, she is expected to lead North Korea into the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup as one of the favorites for the title. While her career might be spent mostly in international tournaments rather than overseas clubs, every time she plays is a chance for fans to see a world-class talent in action.
The Trophy Case (Honours)
| Honour | Competition | Year |
| Gold Medal | Summer Universiade (Napoli) | 2019 |
| Silver Medal | 19th Asian Games (Hangzhou) | 2023 |
The Record (Career Statistics)
| Season | Club |
| 2018–Present | April 25 Sports Club |
