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
The December 15 Quality Medals were awarded to the best products of the Phyongsong Bag Factory, the Songdowon General Foodstuff
December 27, 2025
The December 15 Quality Medals were awarded to the best products of the Phyongsong Bag Factory, the Songdowon General Foodstuff
Under the care of the Workers' Party of Korea, modern houses were built at the Tongsan Industrial Crop Farm under the North
December 26, 2025
Under the care of the Workers' Party of Korea, modern houses were built at the Tongsan Industrial Crop Farm under the North
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
December 26, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
This year, too, more than 10 women were awarded the Communist Mother Honour Prize on the occasion of Mother's Day (November 16).
December 26, 2025
This year, too, more than 10 women were awarded the Communist Mother Honour Prize on the occasion of Mother's Day (November 16).
Memorial meetings, seminars and film shows were hosted by the Khabarovsk Territorial, Amur Regional and Maritime Territorial
December 26, 2025
Memorial meetings, seminars and film shows were hosted by the Khabarovsk Territorial, Amur Regional and Maritime Territorial
The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on December 17 to denounce the US for making military threats against Venezuela.Th
December 26, 2025
The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on December 17 to denounce the US for making military threats against Venezuela.Th
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations stressed that a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire should be
December 26, 2025
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations stressed that a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire should be
Officials and working people in Ryanggang Province remodelled the provincial institute of agricultural science. The completion of
December 26, 2025
Officials and working people in Ryanggang Province remodelled the provincial institute of agricultural science. The completion of
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a wreath to the bier of Kim Chang Son, department director of the State Affairs Commission
December 26, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a wreath to the bier of Kim Chang Son, department director of the State Affairs Commission
When the whole country is pulsating with great transformation and fresh hope, an inauguration ceremony of the regional-industry
December 25, 2025
When the whole country is pulsating with great transformation and fresh hope, an inauguration ceremony of the regional-industry
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
December 25, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
December 25, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an enlarged meeting of the council of the defence ministry on December 17 that the
December 25, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an enlarged meeting of the council of the defence ministry on December 17 that the
On November 30 ten years ago, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the renovated Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace.That day
December 25, 2025
On November 30 ten years ago, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the renovated Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace.That day
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from V.
December 25, 2025
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from V.
As the people across the country enjoy a highly civilized new life under socialism, new houses have been built at Wonum and
December 25, 2025
As the people across the country enjoy a highly civilized new life under socialism, new houses have been built at Wonum and
The residents of Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, greeted an auspicious day to be specially recorded in the history of the
December 25, 2025
The residents of Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, greeted an auspicious day to be specially recorded in the history of the
An online joint seminar and a photo exhibition of Brazilian political parties and organizations took place on December 16 on the
December 24, 2025
An online joint seminar and a photo exhibition of Brazilian political parties and organizations took place on December 16 on the
The US is intensifying pressure on Venezuela by rallying its large forces in the Caribbean Sea.Insisting that the Venezuelan gover
December 24, 2025
The US is intensifying pressure on Venezuela by rallying its large forces in the Caribbean Sea.Insisting that the Venezuelan gover
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced the reckless remarks of the Japanese defense minister who found fault with
December 24, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced the reckless remarks of the Japanese defense minister who found fault with
More Articles
