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A historical document on the facility of Koguryo in the period of Three Kingdoms recorded that Koguryo people used to build kudul and made a fire under it to keep them warm in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 Uriminzokkiri (En)
City and county organizations of the Workers' Party of Korea are making an intensive study to deeply grasp the idea and spirit of
January 09, 2024
City and county organizations of the Workers' Party of Korea are making an intensive study to deeply grasp the idea and spirit of
The Korean people, who successfully passed the third year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic
January 09, 2024
The Korean people, who successfully passed the third year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic
The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Sunday: According to the ratification of the
January 08, 2024
The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Sunday: According to the ratification of the
The very important report and conclusion made by the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un at the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th
January 08, 2024
The very important report and conclusion made by the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un at the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Sunday issued the following
January 08, 2024
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Sunday issued the following
All the people of the DPRK out in the new year advance are intent on the intensive study to fully arm themselves with the new idea
January 08, 2024
All the people of the DPRK out in the new year advance are intent on the intensive study to fully arm themselves with the new idea
There are many people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who regard love of and devotion to others as their duty.
January 07, 2024
There are many people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who regard love of and devotion to others as their duty.
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Friday: On the
January 07, 2024
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Friday: On the
Saussurea seoulensis syringin developed by the Kuryongsan Pharmaceutical Manufactory is winning growing favour among users as the
January 06, 2024
Saussurea seoulensis syringin developed by the Kuryongsan Pharmaceutical Manufactory is winning growing favour among users as the
Among those who took the floor at the Second National Conference of Exemplary Young People of Virtue held in May Juche 104 (2015)
January 06, 2024
Among those who took the floor at the Second National Conference of Exemplary Young People of Virtue held in May Juche 104 (2015)
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Tuesday issued the following
January 05, 2024
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Tuesday issued the following
Leading newspapers of the DPRK Thursday editorially call upon the officials and working people to successfully carry out the tasks
January 05, 2024
Leading newspapers of the DPRK Thursday editorially call upon the officials and working people to successfully carry out the tasks
The Yoon Suk Yeol group of puppets, who spent days and months of 2023 with dangerous military provocations to push the Korean
January 05, 2024
The Yoon Suk Yeol group of puppets, who spent days and months of 2023 with dangerous military provocations to push the Korean
Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says in an article that there are countries which make efforts to tide over the difficulties and bolster
January 04, 2024
Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says in an article that there are countries which make efforts to tide over the difficulties and bolster
Officials of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League conducted political work at the construction site of
January 04, 2024
Officials of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League conducted political work at the construction site of
All the people and service personnel of the Korean People’s Army greeted the New Year Juche 113 (2024) significantly. Visitors
January 03, 2024
All the people and service personnel of the Korean People’s Army greeted the New Year Juche 113 (2024) significantly. Visitors
Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- The grand art performance in celebration of the New Year 2024 is going on with splendor amid the
January 03, 2024
Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- The grand art performance in celebration of the New Year 2024 is going on with splendor amid the
A gala evening of youth and students took place at Kim Il Sung Square in the capital city of Pyongyang on December 31, 2023 on New
January 02, 2024
A gala evening of youth and students took place at Kim Il Sung Square in the capital city of Pyongyang on December 31, 2023 on New
A national flag-hoisting ceremony was solemnly held on January 1, Juche 113 (2024), at Kim Il Sung Square. At 00:00 sharp, a bell
January 02, 2024
A national flag-hoisting ceremony was solemnly held on January 1, Juche 113 (2024), at Kim Il Sung Square. At 00:00 sharp, a bell
The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace in Mangyongdae District in the capital city of Pyongyang is a base for extracurricular
January 01, 2024
The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace in Mangyongdae District in the capital city of Pyongyang is a base for extracurricular
More Articles
