Tug of war is one of the folk games the Korean people have played since olden times.
It is introduced in old records including Tongguksesigi (book dealing with folk customs of Korea which was written in the first half of the 19th century) and Tonggukyojisungnam (geography book in the middle ages of Korea which was compiled in 1481).
The folk game was usually played on the fifteenth day of the first month by the lunar calendar, or on Chusok (the fifteenth day of the eighth month by the lunar calendar) according to regions.
According to the specific features of local areas, the rope was mainly made by twisting rice straw or arrowroot vines in those days, and it is said that the thickness and length of the original cord were decided by the scale of the match.
Since the original cord was too thick to be pulled by contestants, two or three metres of thin cords were connected at intervals of about one metre. They were called tongjjul.
According to Kim Son Yong, researcher at the Folklore Research Institute of the Academy of Social Sciences, children aged 12 to 13, divided into two teams, played tug of war game at first, which was called aegijuldanggigi, or pulling a thin rope, followed by the match of adults. On the morning of the contest day, the venue was packed with crowds from different villages.
The game is usually over in 20 to 30 minutes, and it was a custom that the winning team returned home and made a round of their village, carrying the rope on their shoulders and playing farm music, to demonstrate their power.
Though there are some differences in its scale and form, tug of war is one of the popular games enjoyed by all even today.
In the present-day tug of war match, scientific numerical values are introduced to maximize tensile strength, especially players’ posture, tensile angle and frictional force.
“The victory of the game hinges on how to concentrate the strength of players to the maximum,” said Ri Pyong Hun, researcher of the Sports Science Institute. “A number of technical factors exist, but the most important thing is the unity of collective. Therefore, tug of war is the most favourite one among the sports games of any class.”
More From Pyongyang Times
A high-ranking official of the European Union warned on January 12 that the US’ military invasion of Greenland would cause the
January 17, 2026
A high-ranking official of the European Union warned on January 12 that the US’ military invasion of Greenland would cause the
The Croatian prime minister emphasized again the stand not to dispatch soldiers of his country to Ukraine at a joint press
January 17, 2026
The Croatian prime minister emphasized again the stand not to dispatch soldiers of his country to Ukraine at a joint press
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the New
January 17, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the New
The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League visited the statues
January 17, 2026
The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League visited the statues
At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day, modern dwelling houses were
January 17, 2026
At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day, modern dwelling houses were
One of the abiding memories of 2025 of the Korean people is of the wonderful art performances which make them feel the great
January 17, 2026
One of the abiding memories of 2025 of the Korean people is of the wonderful art performances which make them feel the great
Colourful events will be held in Pyongyang to mark the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League.
January 17, 2026
Colourful events will be held in Pyongyang to mark the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League.
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Security Council of Russia, warned European countries and NATO member nations against their
January 16, 2026
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Security Council of Russia, warned European countries and NATO member nations against their
New socialist ideal farm villages have been built successively in Kangwon Province, giving pleasure to the people. Dwelling houses
January 16, 2026
New socialist ideal farm villages have been built successively in Kangwon Province, giving pleasure to the people. Dwelling houses
The speaker of the Iranian parliament decried and rejected the US’ military threat in his speech to the parliament on January 11.H
January 16, 2026
The speaker of the Iranian parliament decried and rejected the US’ military threat in his speech to the parliament on January 11.H
Young people across the DPRK were gripped by great emotion on the occasion of the New Year 2026. They were impressed by the fact
January 16, 2026
Young people across the DPRK were gripped by great emotion on the occasion of the New Year 2026. They were impressed by the fact
The young Korean people embroidered heroic epic stories of miracles and innovations in the annals of the country’s prosperity.
January 16, 2026
The young Korean people embroidered heroic epic stories of miracles and innovations in the annals of the country’s prosperity.
The French president criticized the US’ foreign policy on January 8. As regards the fact that the US decided to break from 66
January 15, 2026
The French president criticized the US’ foreign policy on January 8. As regards the fact that the US decided to break from 66
The Tokyo Shimbun on January 9 carried an article titled “US threat and blackmail out of common sense” denouncing the reckless mov
January 15, 2026
The Tokyo Shimbun on January 9 carried an article titled “US threat and blackmail out of common sense” denouncing the reckless mov
New houses have appeared at the Sugye Farm in Unsan County and the Mungok Stockbreeding Farm in Nyongwon County, South Phyongan
January 15, 2026
New houses have appeared at the Sugye Farm in Unsan County and the Mungok Stockbreeding Farm in Nyongwon County, South Phyongan
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, left Pyongyang on
January 15, 2026
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, left Pyongyang on
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent birthday spreads to Kim Sang Chun living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 16, Aedo-dong, Jongju
January 15, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent birthday spreads to Kim Sang Chun living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 16, Aedo-dong, Jongju
Science and technology are being diffused widely in the DPRK with the Sci-Tech Complex as the hub. Modern regional-industry
January 15, 2026
Science and technology are being diffused widely in the DPRK with the Sci-Tech Complex as the hub. Modern regional-industry
The respected Marshal Kim Jong Un received on January 13 a letter from the members of the 35th Art Troupe of Korean Schoolchildren
January 15, 2026
The respected Marshal Kim Jong Un received on January 13 a letter from the members of the 35th Art Troupe of Korean Schoolchildren
Haemoglobin cosmetic is now popular among many women. Developed by the Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, this product is applicable to
January 15, 2026
Haemoglobin cosmetic is now popular among many women. Developed by the Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, this product is applicable to
More Articles
