Kudul (heated floor in Korean) is a national intangible cultural heritage of the DPRK.
The word was derived from kuundol, which means heated stone. It was also called ondol (warm stone).
In the course of using a brazier to keep themselves warm, the Korean ancestors understood that stones around the brazier preserved heat for a long time. Kudul was a facility of heating larger numbers of stones gradually by using this principle.
A historical document on the facility of Koguryo in the period of Three Kingdoms recorded that Koguryo people used to build kudul and made a fire under it to keep them warm in winter. Drawings of the facility can be seen on the walls of the Mausoleum of King Kogugwon and the tomb murals in Yaksu-ri.
During the period of Koryo (918-1392), the facility began to develop into two forms--a floor with flues under it and a stone-covered floor.
In the feudal Joson dynasty (1392-1910), all-floor-heating system pervaded the whole country.
The heated-floor system represents the creative wisdom and efforts of the Korean people to make rational use of heat and reflects their clean and civilized living manners.
The system makes it possible to control the temperature in a room evenly, keep the room warm for a long time without using any other fuel and prevent humidity and cold from the floor. For such advantages, it is widely used everywhere in the country.
Today, the Korean people not only set up the system in one-storey and multi-storey houses but also introduce other systems of heating the floor by means of hot water and electricity, thus preserving their traditional living customs of the nation.
More From Naenara (En)
On December 20, the director of the Institute for Studies of Japan under the DPRK Foreign Ministry released the following press
December 22, 2025
On December 20, the director of the Institute for Studies of Japan under the DPRK Foreign Ministry released the following press
Modern regional-industry factories have been built in Kim Jong Suk County, a historic place full of the pleasure of enjoying a new
December 22, 2025
Modern regional-industry factories have been built in Kim Jong Suk County, a historic place full of the pleasure of enjoying a new
Regional-industry factories have been inaugurated with splendid ceremony in Koksan County, North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK,
December 22, 2025
Regional-industry factories have been inaugurated with splendid ceremony in Koksan County, North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK,
New houses have been built in Songhan-dong and Sonsang-dong of Sinuiju City, North Phyongan Province, and Sanbuk-ri of Suan
December 22, 2025
New houses have been built in Songhan-dong and Sonsang-dong of Sinuiju City, North Phyongan Province, and Sanbuk-ri of Suan
In Sepho County of Kangwon Province, too, modern regional-industry factories have been built as another asset of prosperity to
December 22, 2025
In Sepho County of Kangwon Province, too, modern regional-industry factories have been built as another asset of prosperity to
The great Workers’ Party of Korea is translating the centuries-old desire of all the people into reality by building entities of
December 22, 2025
The great Workers’ Party of Korea is translating the centuries-old desire of all the people into reality by building entities of
The Advanced Science and Technology and Products Exhibition-2025 took place at the Grand People’s Study House in the heart of
December 21, 2025
The Advanced Science and Technology and Products Exhibition-2025 took place at the Grand People’s Study House in the heart of
New houses have been built at the Ujung and Phyongsang farms in Usi County and the Wolmyong Farm in Kophung County, Jagang
December 21, 2025
New houses have been built at the Ujung and Phyongsang farms in Usi County and the Wolmyong Farm in Kophung County, Jagang
Modern houses of diverse and unique styles have been built in Yonggo-ri of Sinhung County and Pulgunbyol-ri of Hamju County, South
December 20, 2025
Modern houses of diverse and unique styles have been built in Yonggo-ri of Sinhung County and Pulgunbyol-ri of Hamju County, South
As the whole country is filled with great emotion and joy in the new era of regional transformation and prosperity ushered in by
December 20, 2025
As the whole country is filled with great emotion and joy in the new era of regional transformation and prosperity ushered in by
Thanks to the energetic leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea dynamically opening up a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation
December 20, 2025
Thanks to the energetic leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea dynamically opening up a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation
Splendid inauguration ceremonies of regional-industry factories are taking place in the DPRK almost every day, adorning the
December 20, 2025
Splendid inauguration ceremonies of regional-industry factories are taking place in the DPRK almost every day, adorning the
All the people across the DPRK honoured the memory of Chairman Kim Jong Il in humblest reverence on the occasion of the 14th
December 19, 2025
All the people across the DPRK honoured the memory of Chairman Kim Jong Il in humblest reverence on the occasion of the 14th
All the people in the DPRK greeted December with ardent yearning for Chairman Kim Jong Il who devoted his noble life to
December 19, 2025
All the people in the DPRK greeted December with ardent yearning for Chairman Kim Jong Il who devoted his noble life to
DPRK players returned home on December 16 after taking part in the 5th Asian Youth Para Games held in the United Arab Emirates.
December 18, 2025
DPRK players returned home on December 16 after taking part in the 5th Asian Youth Para Games held in the United Arab Emirates.
Thanks to the ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers’ Party of Korea, stirring events demonstrating the
December 18, 2025
Thanks to the ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers’ Party of Korea, stirring events demonstrating the
Officials and members of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea (SWUK) held a meeting at the Hall of Women on December 16 to hear
December 18, 2025
Officials and members of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea (SWUK) held a meeting at the Hall of Women on December 16 to hear
DPRK schoolchildren met at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace on December 16 to tell stories about the great leader Generalis
December 18, 2025
DPRK schoolchildren met at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace on December 16 to tell stories about the great leader Generalis
Officials of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK) and agricultural workers held a meeting to hear about the noble
December 18, 2025
Officials of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK) and agricultural workers held a meeting to hear about the noble
Chilsong Restaurant located at the foot of picturesque Moran Hill in Pyongyang draws many visitors. As one of the established
December 18, 2025
Chilsong Restaurant located at the foot of picturesque Moran Hill in Pyongyang draws many visitors. As one of the established
More Articles
