Last Friday, July 26th, 2019, WADA, the World’s Anti-Doping Agency, removed the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Anti-Doping Committee (DPRK Anti-Doping Committee) from its list of non-compliant Anti-Doping Committees with the World Anti-Doping Code. North Korea was declared non-compliant in February of this year as the country failed to meet a 4-month deadline to “correct non-conformities related to the implementation of its testing program.”
The World’s Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, removed the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea, from its list of non-compliant Anti-Doping Committees with the World Anti-Doping Code. Per WADA, The DPRK Anti-Doping Committee was given four months to correct non-conformities related to its testing program by WADA’s ExCo (Executive Committee) at its meeting of 20 September 2018 and, at the expiration of these four months, was asserted non-compliant on 21 January 2019.
After being served formal notification, and being given 21 days to dispute WADA’s assertion, North Korean officials did not dispute the assertion, resulting in the organization’s suspension. The suspension became effective on February 13th, 2019. Since then, the DPRK Anti-Doping Committee has implemented corrective measures required to address its non-compliance, in cooperation with the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA).
While North Korea didn’t send any swimmers to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, they did send divers. They also entered two swimmers and five divers at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships, with the top finisher being Jang Myong-gyong, who finished 39th in the 50 breaststroke in 35.11 on the swimming side, and winning a silver in the women’s 10-meter synchronized platform and a bronze in the mixed 10-meter synchronized platform.
In spite of recent moves toward cooperation between North Korea and South Korea, including the unification of Olympic teams for the opening ceremonies and several sports during the 2018 Winter Olympics held in Pyeong-Chang, South Korea, North Korea declined to participate at the 2019 FINA World Championships, which took place in Gwangju, South Korea, between July 12th and July 28th, 2019.
- In accordance with the relevant provisions of WADA’s Statutes, the DPRK AntiDoping Committee’s Representatives shall be ineligible to hold any WADA office or any position as a member of any WADA board or committee or other body (including but not limited to membership of WADA’s Foundation Board, the Executive Committee, any Standing Committee, and any other committee).
- The DPRK AntiDoping Committee shall be ineligible to host any event hosted or organized or co-hosted or co-organized by WADA.
- The DPRK AntiDoping Committee’s Representatives shall be ineligible to participate in any WADA Independent Observer Program or WADA Outreach Program or other WADA activities.
- The DPRK AntiDoping Committee shall not receive any WADA funding (either directly or indirectly) relating to the development of specific activities or participation in specific programs.
(b) Some or all of the DPRK Anti-Doping Committee’s activities related to testing will be subject to Supervision by an Approved Third Party, at the DPRK Anti-Doping Committee’s expense, including up to six site visits a year, with all costs to be paid in advance (where known) (see ISCCS Art B.3.1 (b)). The DPRK Anti-Doping Committee and the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) have signed an agreement to this effect.
(c) The DPRK Anti-Doping Committee’s Representatives shall be ineligible to sit as members of the boards or committees or other bodies of any Signatory (or its members) or association of Signatories for a period of one year or until the DPRK Anti-Doping Committee is reinstated (whichever is longer) (see ISCCS Art B.3.1 (c)).
According to WADA, the DPRK Anti-Doping Committee continues to work with CHINADA and WADA to further enhance its program.