Ssirum (Korean wrestling) is a sport peculiar to the Korean nation in which two persons struggle to throw each other to the ground by holding the other’s thigh band or belt.
Ssirum has developed as a typical sport of the nation since ancient times and its features can be seen through Koguryo tomb murals from the period of the Three Kingdoms.
It is a popular mass sport which anybody can do in any place at any time.
Victory or defeat in a ssirum match is decided by who first throws the opponent to the ground by means of various methods and if any of a player’s body parts above the ankles touches the ground, he is a loser.
Ssirum was played throughout Korea and Pyongyang was a hub of the diffusion and learning of the sport.
At present, Moran Hill, Rungna Islet, Mt Taesong and other scenic spots in the city have sites for the sport where relevant matches take place on folk holidays and rest days.
In particular, the Grand Bull Prize national ssirum contest held to mark Chusok, a folk holiday of the Korean people, every year serves as an important occasion in inheriting and developing the excellent cultural tradition of the nation.
More From Pyongyang Times
The Russian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at Yanggakdo International Hotel on the evening of May 8 on the occasion of th
May 10, 2025
The Russian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at Yanggakdo International Hotel on the evening of May 8 on the occasion of th
The third meeting of the DPRK-Belarus intergovernmental joint committee for trade and economic cooperation was held at the
May 10, 2025
The third meeting of the DPRK-Belarus intergovernmental joint committee for trade and economic cooperation was held at the
The Belarus government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko visited the Tower of the Juche Idea. They heard the
May 10, 2025
The Belarus government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko visited the Tower of the Juche Idea. They heard the
The US and its vassal states are staging a series of nuclear operation drills on the Korean peninsula and in its vicinity after
May 09, 2025
The US and its vassal states are staging a series of nuclear operation drills on the Korean peninsula and in its vicinity after
The DPRK government hosted a reception at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang on May 7 to welcome the visiting Belarus
May 09, 2025
The DPRK government hosted a reception at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang on May 7 to welcome the visiting Belarus
The 2025 spring aesthetic symposium in the fields of land and environmental protection and urban management took place at the
May 09, 2025
The 2025 spring aesthetic symposium in the fields of land and environmental protection and urban management took place at the
A few days ago, The Pyongyang Times reporter Pang Un Ju saw a table of daily nutritious food supply standards for nursery and
May 09, 2025
A few days ago, The Pyongyang Times reporter Pang Un Ju saw a table of daily nutritious food supply standards for nursery and
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East on May 4 expressed concern over the worsening
May 08, 2025
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East on May 4 expressed concern over the worsening
The Iranian minister of defence and armed forces logistics warned against the US’ threat to his country at a press conference on M
May 08, 2025
The Iranian minister of defence and armed forces logistics warned against the US’ threat to his country at a press conference on M
The 16th Commodity Exhibition at Pyongyang Department Store No. 1 closed. A closing ceremony took place at Pyongyang Department
May 08, 2025
The 16th Commodity Exhibition at Pyongyang Department Store No. 1 closed. A closing ceremony took place at Pyongyang Department
At the invitation of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a government delegation of the Republic of
May 08, 2025
At the invitation of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a government delegation of the Republic of
A single spark ignites a big fire that burns fiercely. The unbounded enthusiasm for volunteering is spreading like wildfire across
May 07, 2025
A single spark ignites a big fire that burns fiercely. The unbounded enthusiasm for volunteering is spreading like wildfire across
Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the need to treasure and preserve historical memory in a recent congratulatory message
May 07, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the need to treasure and preserve historical memory in a recent congratulatory message
The 22nd May 21 Architectural Festival will start at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang on May 13. The festival, which will be held
May 07, 2025
The 22nd May 21 Architectural Festival will start at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang on May 13. The festival, which will be held
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
May 07, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
DPRK weightlifter Kim Yong Ju came first at the 2025 IWF World Youth and Junior Championships held in Peru. Kim Yong Ju won three
May 07, 2025
DPRK weightlifter Kim Yong Ju came first at the 2025 IWF World Youth and Junior Championships held in Peru. Kim Yong Ju won three
The Mozambican President called for working hard to prevent the spread of malaria in a speech made on the occasion of World
May 06, 2025
The Mozambican President called for working hard to prevent the spread of malaria in a speech made on the occasion of World
Among more than 300 young people in North Hamgyong Province who volunteered to work at major sites of socialist construction in
May 06, 2025
Among more than 300 young people in North Hamgyong Province who volunteered to work at major sites of socialist construction in
Fishery units in Kangwon Province are building up their material and technical foundations. The Songdowon Fishery Station is
May 06, 2025
Fishery units in Kangwon Province are building up their material and technical foundations. The Songdowon Fishery Station is
The 12th Sports Contest of the Public Health Sector opened with due ceremony at the Taekwon-Do Palace in Pyongyang on May 2. Such
May 05, 2025
The 12th Sports Contest of the Public Health Sector opened with due ceremony at the Taekwon-Do Palace in Pyongyang on May 2. Such
More Articles
