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
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
January 26, 2026
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
January 26, 2026
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
January 26, 2026
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
January 26, 2026
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
January 26, 2026
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
January 26, 2026
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
The Iraqi government on January 18 announced the US-led international allied forces completely withdrew from military bases in the
January 25, 2026
The Iraqi government on January 18 announced the US-led international allied forces completely withdrew from military bases in the
According to an American organization, more than 400 large-scale shooting cases occurred in the US last year, causing over 40 000
January 25, 2026
According to an American organization, more than 400 large-scale shooting cases occurred in the US last year, causing over 40 000
Fairyland villages were built in different farms in Junghwa and Singye counties of North Hwanghae Province, epitomizing the change
January 25, 2026
Fairyland villages were built in different farms in Junghwa and Singye counties of North Hwanghae Province, epitomizing the change
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
January 25, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The Workers’ Party of Korea is organizing and conducting in a bold way the work to realign the farm fields of the country into
January 24, 2026
The Workers’ Party of Korea is organizing and conducting in a bold way the work to realign the farm fields of the country into
European countries are strongly resisting the US’ threat to impose from February 1 10 percent tariff on those countries which do n
January 24, 2026
European countries are strongly resisting the US’ threat to impose from February 1 10 percent tariff on those countries which do n
On January 23 1968, the sailors of the Korean People’s Army located an unidentified ship in the waters off Wonsan in the East
January 23, 2026
On January 23 1968, the sailors of the Korean People’s Army located an unidentified ship in the waters off Wonsan in the East
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov mentioned about a series of international issues at the recent press
January 23, 2026
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov mentioned about a series of international issues at the recent press
The US Senators and Representatives recently criticized the authorities' attempt to annex Greenland. Military invasion of
January 23, 2026
The US Senators and Representatives recently criticized the authorities' attempt to annex Greenland. Military invasion of
A new spectacular sight of regional development has unfolded in the Yombunjin area renowned as a scenic attraction on the east
January 23, 2026
A new spectacular sight of regional development has unfolded in the Yombunjin area renowned as a scenic attraction on the east
Several rural villages in South Phyongan Province have undergone radical changes. Modern houses were built in Soje-ri of Taedong
January 23, 2026
Several rural villages in South Phyongan Province have undergone radical changes. Modern houses were built in Soje-ri of Taedong
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ri Ok Suk, a war veteran living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 14 of
January 23, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ri Ok Suk, a war veteran living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 14 of
Working people in Kaesong have remodelled the finishing building materials factory. The completion of the factory, furnished with
January 23, 2026
Working people in Kaesong have remodelled the finishing building materials factory. The completion of the factory, furnished with
In 1925 President Kim Il Sung made the 1 000-ri (250 miles) Journey for National Liberation with a lofty aim to win back his
January 23, 2026
In 1925 President Kim Il Sung made the 1 000-ri (250 miles) Journey for National Liberation with a lofty aim to win back his
More Articles
