Five-volume Biography of Korean Martial Art Masters was published several yearsago, but it is still much sought after in the DPRK.
Readers of the book say in unison that it recounts Korean history through the lives of famous martial artists and the more they read it, the more appealing they find it.
They also hold out hope that the book would be adapted for the screen on historical theme.
Biography of Korean Martial Art Masters is an absorbing read as it tells about the outstanding skills of famous Korean martial artists, the journey of life of each of them and why they are still remembered by people.
The book was authored by Jo Chong Un (pictured).
Now in his early forties, Jo heard many stories about the patriotic generals, known and unknown, of the Korean nation who repulsed foreign invasion and defended the country from his father, a historian, in his childhood.
“My dad’s old stories were so lifelike that I felt as if I went back to the past and lived in the same period. I just wanted to write all that seemed to be happening so vividly before my eyes. That is how I began to write historical novels,” said Jo.
After finishing the writers training course at Kim Hyong Jik
University of Education, he buried himself in writing a history book.
He made painstaking efforts for several years and finally completed Biography of Korean Martial Art Masters. It was his first smash hit.
The book shows in detail that the Korean ancestors had regarded physical training as the right course of character building since ancient times and established the habit of attaching importance to military affairs, following up the traces of the patriotic generals who made their name with distinguished services in the fights to defend the country.
Jo introduced renowned Korean martial artists in the extended historical period from the mid-3rd century BC to the early 20th century in the five-volume book.
Practised writers including those of the Writers Union of Korea refer to it as a “book that tactfully shows the individuality of famous generals and talents” and a “book inspiring pride in the nation’s orthodox martial art in the people”.
After writing the book, Jo brought out historical novels King Yongnak and Oh, Heaven and Earth in succession to become more familiar to the readers.
He is now working on a new history book.
More From Pyongyang Times
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Security Council of Russia, posted an article on an SNS on January 12 to deride the US’ atte
January 21, 2026
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Security Council of Russia, posted an article on an SNS on January 12 to deride the US’ atte
Russia decided to deport a diplomat of the British embassy in the country. On January 15, the Russian Foreign Ministry called the
January 21, 2026
Russia decided to deport a diplomat of the British embassy in the country. On January 15, the Russian Foreign Ministry called the
Spectacular scenes of rural development have unfolded at several farms in Kangwon Province. Newly-built public and production
January 21, 2026
Spectacular scenes of rural development have unfolded at several farms in Kangwon Province. Newly-built public and production
The Academy of Forest Science has been built on a modern basis. The academy has all facilities and conditions, including an office
January 21, 2026
The Academy of Forest Science has been built on a modern basis. The academy has all facilities and conditions, including an office
Over the past five years since the Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, a new era of overall development has been
January 21, 2026
Over the past five years since the Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, a new era of overall development has been
A croaker pedigree farm has been built at the Ongjin West Sea Fish Farm. The pedigree farm has an office building, welfare
January 21, 2026
A croaker pedigree farm has been built at the Ongjin West Sea Fish Farm. The pedigree farm has an office building, welfare
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a congratulatory message to the 14th Congress of the Communist Party of
January 21, 2026
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a congratulatory message to the 14th Congress of the Communist Party of
The Ryongsong Machine Complex, where a flaming torch was lit to create the Chollima spirit in the new era, has turned into a
January 20, 2026
The Ryongsong Machine Complex, where a flaming torch was lit to create the Chollima spirit in the new era, has turned into a
Comrades,I express gratitude to the workers of Ryongsong, teachers and researchers from Kim Chaek University of Technology and Pyo
January 20, 2026
Comrades,I express gratitude to the workers of Ryongsong, teachers and researchers from Kim Chaek University of Technology and Pyo
The Mexican President said in a press conference on January 13 that her country would maintain a foreign policy based on equality
January 20, 2026
The Mexican President said in a press conference on January 13 that her country would maintain a foreign policy based on equality
The ideal socialist villages indicative of the Korean-style civilization of the countryside sprang up at the Chollisong Farm in
January 20, 2026
The ideal socialist villages indicative of the Korean-style civilization of the countryside sprang up at the Chollisong Farm in
The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League toured Pyongyang.
January 20, 2026
The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League toured Pyongyang.
At the end of last year, the Korean people greeted the second inauguration season in implementing the Regional Development 20×10
January 20, 2026
At the end of last year, the Korean people greeted the second inauguration season in implementing the Regional Development 20×10
The authorities of Greenland issued a statement on January 12 to reject the US' attempt to annex Greenland.As regards the fact tha
January 19, 2026
The authorities of Greenland issued a statement on January 12 to reject the US' attempt to annex Greenland.As regards the fact tha
Today, when the moves of the forces trying to realize their ambition for world domination are getting ever more undisguised,
January 19, 2026
Today, when the moves of the forces trying to realize their ambition for world domination are getting ever more undisguised,
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent birthday spreads to Kim Sun Han, a woman centenarian living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 49,
January 19, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent birthday spreads to Kim Sun Han, a woman centenarian living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 49,
Modern houses, symbolic of the era of the Workers' Party, have been built at the Usan Cotton Farm in Hanggu District and the
January 19, 2026
Modern houses, symbolic of the era of the Workers' Party, have been built at the Usan Cotton Farm in Hanggu District and the
The Jikha Atlantic Salmon Pedigree Farm was inaugurated in North Hamgyong Province. The construction of the pedigree farm with all
January 19, 2026
The Jikha Atlantic Salmon Pedigree Farm was inaugurated in North Hamgyong Province. The construction of the pedigree farm with all
On New Year’s Day ten years ago, the inauguration ceremony of the Sci-Tech Complex was held in splendour in the presence of the
January 19, 2026
On New Year’s Day ten years ago, the inauguration ceremony of the Sci-Tech Complex was held in splendour in the presence of the
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
January 19, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
More Articles
