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 spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned Japan for its moves to revive militarism at a press conference on December
December 18, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned Japan for its moves to revive militarism at a press conference on December
The Mexican president resolutely rejected the US’ attempt to take military actions in her country on the pretext of the
December 18, 2025
The Mexican president resolutely rejected the US’ attempt to take military actions in her country on the pretext of the
The exhibition of products of Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories-2025 took place at the Okryu Exhibition House from November
December 18, 2025
The exhibition of products of Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories-2025 took place at the Okryu Exhibition House from November
The ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers' Party of Korea has brought about stirring events in different
December 18, 2025
The ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers' Party of Korea has brought about stirring events in different
Our factory has received numerous certificates of scientific and technological achievements at various festivals, exhibitions and
December 18, 2025
Our factory has received numerous certificates of scientific and technological achievements at various festivals, exhibitions and
All the people including service personnel across the DPRK are paying the highest tribute to Chairman Kim Jong Il with boundless
December 17, 2025
All the people including service personnel across the DPRK are paying the highest tribute to Chairman Kim Jong Il with boundless
Rangnim County greeted the moments of celebrating the inauguration of regional-industry factories built under the energetic
December 17, 2025
Rangnim County greeted the moments of celebrating the inauguration of regional-industry factories built under the energetic
This year marks the 14th anniversary of the demise of Chairman Kim Jong Il.On this occasion the DPRK people recollect the noble ou
December 17, 2025
This year marks the 14th anniversary of the demise of Chairman Kim Jong Il.On this occasion the DPRK people recollect the noble ou
Youth and students got together at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on December 15 to tell stories about the noble virtues of
December 17, 2025
Youth and students got together at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on December 15 to tell stories about the noble virtues of
Regional-industry factories have been built in inland mountainous Sinyang County to fundamentally improve the quality of the
December 17, 2025
Regional-industry factories have been built in inland mountainous Sinyang County to fundamentally improve the quality of the
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the issue of state economic development in a state planning and strategic development
December 16, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the issue of state economic development in a state planning and strategic development
The 2025-2026 DPRK men’s and women’s premier leagues started amid high expectations and interest of soccer experts and fans.
December 16, 2025
The 2025-2026 DPRK men’s and women’s premier leagues started amid high expectations and interest of soccer experts and fans.
The Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.
December 16, 2025
The Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.
The Workers’ Party of Korea is accelerating the accomplishment of the epoch-making cause of reconstructing the regional economy
December 16, 2025
The Workers’ Party of Korea is accelerating the accomplishment of the epoch-making cause of reconstructing the regional economy
Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong
December 16, 2025
Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong
South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a
December 16, 2025
South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a
Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,
December 16, 2025
Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,
Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in
December 15, 2025
Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
December 15, 2025
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
December 15, 2025
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
More Articles
