They withdrew from the 2007 World Championships, and therefore were automatically relegated to Division III in the 2008 edition, where they finished first.

The North Korea national team did not make its debut until 1974, when it competed in the C pool of the World Championships.

The team lost its first game to Italy 11–2 on 8 March 1974, but rebounded for a surprising victory over China.

DPR Korea announced that their men's and women's teams were not going to compete in IIHF competition due to financial reasons.

DPR Korea men's team also withdrew from Division III A tournaments in 2022 and 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[4] and therefore was not active until 2024.