“Culture of Loving the Phungsan, the national dog of the DPRK” means the customs, diverse social and cultural activities and other cultural levers related to the dog.

It includes the breeding and taming of the Phungsan, hunting customs by means of the dog, stories, novels, films, fine art works and other forms of art about the dog, the Phungsan dog show, registration, survey and evaluation of the pedigree Phungsan, dissemination of sci-tech knowledge, scientific research and education related to the Phungsan, and other social and cultural levers.

In the past period of history, the Phungsan was not only a mere animal to the Koreans but a companion of their life. Today, it has become the national dog as one of national symbols which reflect the fine qualities of the Korean nation.

It is an endemic animal of Korea that has all the peculiar features of the Korean dog. It can be said that it represents the spirit of the Korean nation.

It is usually gentle in character and follows its master well, but becomes fierce to its rival. Its body is small compared to that of a Western dog, but it is very clever, nimble and tenacious.

Other species of dogs usually bite the back of their enemies’ necks when fighting, but the Phungsan makes a frontal attack on them, taking their throat in a single shot.

It represents the wisdom and courage of the Korean people who hate injustice, value moral obligation and show no mercy to provocateurs.

The temperament of the Phungsan, which is capable of defeating even any large and fierce animals through close cooperation, reflects the fine qualities of the Korean people who help and care for each other with a strong sense of unity.

The dog has been widely used in the Koreans’ life for thousands of years.

It was the main means indispensable for watching and protecting a house and for chasing or suppressing a prey.

Many stories about the Phungsan which did a righteous job for its master have been handed down in different parts of the country.

The home of the Phungsan is the area of Kim Hyong Gwon County in Ryanggang Province, which called Phungsan County in the past.

“Culture of Loving the Phungsan” imbues the people with the national pride and self-confidence in the creation of their nation and contributes to promoting harmony and unity among them.

It also contributes to implanting patriotism in the minds of people and helping them cherish our-state-first principle.

The “Culture of Loving the Phungsan” was inscribed on the list of national intangible cultural heritage in November 2022.

Jo Il Gyong, section chief of the Korea National Heritage Preservation Agency