BEIJING - NORTH Korean shooting double medallist Kim Jong Su has tested positive for a banned substance, been excluded from the Beijing Olympic Games and stripped of his medals, the International Olympic Committee said on Friday.

A female Vietnamese artistic gymnast, who finished out of the medals, has also tested positive for a banned substance, an IOC spokeswoman told reporters.

Kim won silver in the men's 50 metre pistol and a bronze in the men's 10m air pistol shooting.

Tan Zongliang of China now takes silver in the 50m, with Vladimir Isakov of Russia taking the bronze. In the 10m, Jason Turner of the United States inherits Kim's bronze.

Kim tested positive for beta-blocker propranolol, the IOC spokeswoman said. Beta-blockers are misused to decrease the heart rate and stop possible trembling in sports such as shooting and archery.

The Vietnamese is Thi Ngan Thuong Do, who has also been excluded from the Games.

She tested positive for furosemide, a diuretic which can be used as a masking agent for other drugs. -- REUTERS