North Korea Table Tennis Equipment, Not Cheap As You Think
1) Yinhe 970XX (A/K variants – “DPR Korea Team”)
This 5+2 composite (ALC/Kevlar-carbon) blade series is marketed as being used by the DPRK national team. The 970XX-A (inner ALC) emphasizes control, while the 970XX-K (Kevlar-carbon) provides flexibility and solid speed for loop play. Many listings highlight it as “DPR Korea Team” equipment.
2) Yinhe D715 (outer ALC)
The D715 is Yinhe’s first outer ALC blade, with performance comparable to the Butterfly Viscaria but slightly faster and more head-heavy. Some sources associate it with DPRK players, though official confirmation is limited; thus, it is best regarded as “advertised/rumored” rather than confirmed.
3) “Special” series named after DPRK athletes (e.g., Choe Hyon Ha Special; An Ji Song Special)
These custom 5+2 ALC blades are named after DPRK national players, designed for modern offensive spin-oriented play. A distinctive “blue-yellow” ALC version is mentioned as tailored for DPRK. These are limited-edition releases rather than mass-market blades.
Why does China/Yinhe sponsor North Korea?
Political and sports diplomacy: China and North Korea maintain traditional ties; sports sponsorship is part of “sports diplomacy,” echoing the legacy of “ping-pong diplomacy.”
Practical market and supply-chain reasons: Yinhe is a mid-tier Chinese brand. Sponsoring the DPRK team expands brand visibility and ensures access to equipment in a country where Western sponsors face sanctions and limited presence.
Note: Most information on DPRK’s specific blade usage comes from shops, forums, or review videos rather than official releases. Thus, “DPR Korea Team” models (970XX-A/K, “Special” series) should be seen as sponsored/promoted equipment, not necessarily used uniformly across the whole national team.