Han, strong in physical strength and fast in running, began speed skating in her early teens.

She took the first place several times in national juvenile skating tournaments before joining the Pyongyang Sports Team.

In Juche 53 (1964), she clinched a silver medal at the women's 3,000-meter speed skating event in the 9th Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria.

She was the first Asian who won a medal in the 40-year-long history of Winter Olympics.

She bagged more than 20 gold and other medals at international and local tournaments, including the World Speed Skating Championship.

She, winner of Kim Il Sung Prize and the title of People's Athlete, served as a speed skating coach, deputy department director of the then Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission and others.

She is still working hard for the nation's sports development.