The previous President, Ri Jong Mu, "became unable to fulfil his important responsibility due to a protracted illness", the DPRK vice president andsecretary general, Son Kwang Ho, said in a letter.

The letter was addressed to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.

"Kim Il Guk has been taking the office of executive vice president of this NOC for a number of years and we do expect the relationship between the OCA and this NOC will get even closer," added Mr Son.

Mu was only appointed to the role of President of the DPRK Olympic Committee in March 2016, when he replaced Kim Yong Un.

Ri, a 67-year-old lieutenant general in the North Korean army, previously served as the country's Sports Minister between 2012 and 2014 and returned to the post last year.

Kim Yong Un resigned from his position due to health reasons.

North Korea improved upon their London 2012 medal tally at Rio 2016.

They won six medals, four gold and two silver, in the English capital but secured seven in the Brazilian city.

Rim Jong-sim won women's 75 kilogram weightlifting gold while Ri Se-gwang topped the podium in the men's vault gymnastics competition.

They also won three silvers and two bronzes to give them a total haul of seven medals.