From olden times, the Korean people joyfully celebrated the first day of the first month by the lunar calendar.
They kept their houses clean inside and outside, decorating walls with paintings, and prepared new clothes and special dishes on the eve of the lunar New Year’s Day.
When the day dawned, people were busy with different things.
First, they paid homage to their deceased ancestors and then made deep bows to seniors of their families in the order of age.
Young people went to make a deep bow to seniors in the village, and elder relatives and teachers.
Such manners originated from the fact that the Koreans have respected their seniors and valued etiquette since ancient times.
That day, all the family members gathered in the house of the eldest to enjoy holiday dishes. They also served neighbours on a visit to their house with the dishes, deepening mutual harmony.
Typical dishes include ttokguk (rice-cake soup), chalttok (glutinous rice cake), solgittok (steamed rice cake in layers), pancakes, confectionery, sujonggwa (fruit punch) and others. In particular, ttokguk is a must on the table on this day.
Folk games make the atmosphere of the day more pleasant.
Typical games include yut (four-stick) game, Korean chess, kite-flying, sleighing, toy pinwheel turning and shuttlecock kicking.
Such customs reflect the ennobling manners and customs of the Korean people who aspire to purity, respect the elders, value etiquette and live optimistically.
This year, lunar New Year’s Day falls on January 22.
More From Naenara (En)
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) met at the Central Hall of Workers on December 15
December 17, 2025
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) met at the Central Hall of Workers on December 15
Youth and students met at the Central Youth Hall on December 15 to tell stories about the noble virtues of Chairman Kim Jong Il on
December 17, 2025
Youth and students met at the Central Youth Hall on December 15 to tell stories about the noble virtues of Chairman Kim Jong Il on
Preserved in the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il (February 16, 1942–December 17, 2011)
December 17, 2025
Preserved in the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il (February 16, 1942–December 17, 2011)
Rangnim County of the DPRK has greeted the moment of celebrating the inauguration of regional-industry factories built under the
December 17, 2025
Rangnim County of the DPRK has greeted the moment of celebrating the inauguration of regional-industry factories built under the
Modern regional-industry factories have appeared in Taegwan County, North Phyongan Province of the DPRK, adorning more brilliantly
December 17, 2025
Modern regional-industry factories have appeared in Taegwan County, North Phyongan Province of the DPRK, adorning more brilliantly
Regional-industry factories have been built in inland mountainous Sinyang County of the DPRK to fundamentally improve the quality
December 17, 2025
Regional-industry factories have been built in inland mountainous Sinyang County of the DPRK to fundamentally improve the quality
Along with the second inauguration season in implementing the regional development policy confidently promoted by the great
December 17, 2025
Along with the second inauguration season in implementing the regional development policy confidently promoted by the great
In the DPRK the best domestic products of the year are awarded the December 15 Quality Medal and certificate. Amid the fierce
December 17, 2025
In the DPRK the best domestic products of the year are awarded the December 15 Quality Medal and certificate. Amid the fierce
The Myohyangsan History Museum is situated at the foot of Mt Myohyang, a celebrated mountain of the DPRK. The museum covers the
December 17, 2025
The Myohyangsan History Museum is situated at the foot of Mt Myohyang, a celebrated mountain of the DPRK. The museum covers the
Modern houses have been built at the Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County, South Hamgyong
December 16, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County, South Hamgyong
“I was deeply captivated by the colourful and glossy craftworks.” “The refined and delicate jade works show our people’s
December 16, 2025
“I was deeply captivated by the colourful and glossy craftworks.” “The refined and delicate jade works show our people’s
For the DPRK this year is the fourth year of the implementation of the rural revolution programme in the new era. Throughout the
December 16, 2025
For the DPRK this year is the fourth year of the implementation of the rural revolution programme in the new era. Throughout the
This year’s December 15 marks the 99th founding anniversary of the Saenal Children’s Union, the first of its kind in the country o
December 15, 2025
This year’s December 15 marks the 99th founding anniversary of the Saenal Children’s Union, the first of its kind in the country o
An elderly couple of badminton enthusiasts stole the show at an autumn sports competition of the elderly in October this year.
December 15, 2025
An elderly couple of badminton enthusiasts stole the show at an autumn sports competition of the elderly in October this year.
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province in the DPRK one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers.
December 15, 2025
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province in the DPRK one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers.
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
December 14, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
On November 20, the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, which means the province carried out
December 14, 2025
On November 20, the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, which means the province carried out
On December 6, 2016 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the December 6 Children’s Camp in Kangwon Province. Stepping into th
December 14, 2025
On December 6, 2016 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the December 6 Children’s Camp in Kangwon Province. Stepping into th
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex has established a new process for turning fly ash into raw materials to be widely used in
December 13, 2025
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex has established a new process for turning fly ash into raw materials to be widely used in
The Kangdong County Hospital was inaugurated in the suburbs of the capital city of Pyongyang in November. It is an outcome of the
December 13, 2025
The Kangdong County Hospital was inaugurated in the suburbs of the capital city of Pyongyang in November. It is an outcome of the
More Articles
