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 ceremony of great significance was held in the area of Hwasong in Pyongyang, well known as an epitome representing socialist
February 19, 2026
A ceremony of great significance was held in the area of Hwasong in Pyongyang, well known as an epitome representing socialist
The workers in the munitions industry of the DPRK are providing a sure guarantee for a continuous development and radical dramatic
February 19, 2026
The workers in the munitions industry of the DPRK are providing a sure guarantee for a continuous development and radical dramatic
Comrades,The workers in the munitions industry have prepared the most valuable present for a glorious congress of the Workers’ Par
February 19, 2026
Comrades,The workers in the munitions industry have prepared the most valuable present for a glorious congress of the Workers’ Par
Soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members, who are spending significant days in Pyongyang after building an ideal farm town
February 19, 2026
Soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members, who are spending significant days in Pyongyang after building an ideal farm town
Performances of participants in the Third People's Art Festival were given in different parts of the country on February 16 to
February 19, 2026
Performances of participants in the Third People's Art Festival were given in different parts of the country on February 16 to
There was a significant ceremony ahead of the opening of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea all the Party members
February 19, 2026
There was a significant ceremony ahead of the opening of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea all the Party members
Delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where President Kim Il Sung
February 19, 2026
Delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where President Kim Il Sung
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
February 19, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
The Russian permanent representative to the United Nations criticized Western countries for abusing the UNSC in putting pressure
February 18, 2026
The Russian permanent representative to the United Nations criticized Western countries for abusing the UNSC in putting pressure
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan for not honestly and sincerely approaching its history of aggression,
February 18, 2026
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan for not honestly and sincerely approaching its history of aggression,
There came an epoch-making success of concluding the construction of 50 000 flats in Pyongyang, which had powerfully been carried
February 17, 2026
There came an epoch-making success of concluding the construction of 50 000 flats in Pyongyang, which had powerfully been carried
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned the orientation of the country’s diplomatic work in a video speech on February
February 17, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned the orientation of the country’s diplomatic work in a video speech on February
The Hungarian minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade criticized the forced army recruitment which is being enforced in Ukraine with
February 17, 2026
The Hungarian minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade criticized the forced army recruitment which is being enforced in Ukraine with
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the General Association of Koreans in China on February
February 17, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the General Association of Koreans in China on February
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the Central Standing Committee of the General Association
February 17, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the Central Standing Committee of the General Association
Lunar New Year’s Day is one of the greatest national folk holidays of the Korean people. From ancient times, each family cleaned
February 17, 2026
Lunar New Year’s Day is one of the greatest national folk holidays of the Korean people. From ancient times, each family cleaned
Saeppyol Street has made an imposing appearance in an excellent location in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang, the capital of the
February 16, 2026
Saeppyol Street has made an imposing appearance in an excellent location in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang, the capital of the
Present here today are the bereaved family members of the fallen soldiers and other combatants as well as the combatants of the
February 16, 2026
Present here today are the bereaved family members of the fallen soldiers and other combatants as well as the combatants of the
A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General
February 16, 2026
A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the reckless remarks of the Japanese prime minister at a press conference on
February 16, 2026
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the reckless remarks of the Japanese prime minister at a press conference on
More Articles
