February 24 is Jongwoldaeborum , the fifteenth day of the first month by the lunar calendar. From olden times, the Korean ancestors have significantly celebrated it as a folk holiday next to lunar New Year’s Day.
Typical foods for the day are ogokbap and dishes made of nine species of dried greens.
Ogokbap is boiled rice mixed with four other cereals. The five cereals included rice, foxtail millet, sorghum, bean and red bean but sometimes they varied according to regions.
Dishes for the day are made of nine species of dried greens.
The nine species of dried greens did not indicate certain species but meant “a variety of” or “many” greens in connection with the number “nine.”
The locals in the Pyongyang area were fond of eating dried red pepper leaves, bracken, fern and goosefoot, which were called “black greens” as they were black.
Those in Hamgyong Province used dried platycodon, longleaf asiabell, aster and seaweed, and those in Kangwon Province, dried pumpkin and sliced radish and mushrooms.
People have said that dishes made of nine species of dried greens eaten on the day enable them to be resistant to summer heat and spend the year in good health.
The custom of taking such rice and dishes on the day is associated with strong pioneer spirit of the Korean people who created their own way of dietary life and food culture by making use of various materials available in their own localities as well as their love of the native land.
It reflects the habit of thrifty economic life of the Koreans who secured in advance dried vegetables, edible herbs and seaweeds and used them effectively in winter according to the climatic conditions of the country and their spirit of saving even a single material without any waste.
It also comprises the idea of a civilized regimen that they can live in good health only when they take ogokbap and various species of dried greens evenly, just as they can take in various nutrients only when they have a balanced diet, eating various foods.
The custom is still being carried forward, adding national flavour to the life of the Korean people.
Kim Jin Guk, researcher at the Folklore Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences
More From Naenara (En)
The DPRK has long enforced a childcare system in which children are nursed and brought up at nurseries and kindergartens. After
November 17, 2025
The DPRK has long enforced a childcare system in which children are nursed and brought up at nurseries and kindergartens. After
A research group of the Chemical Engineering Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has recently developed an advanced
November 17, 2025
A research group of the Chemical Engineering Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has recently developed an advanced
In 1905 Japan fabricated the Ulsa Five-point Treaty in a bid to establish colonial domination over Korea. Entering the 20th
November 17, 2025
In 1905 Japan fabricated the Ulsa Five-point Treaty in a bid to establish colonial domination over Korea. Entering the 20th
The whole country is extending warm congratulations to the mothers on the occasion of Mother’s Day amid the ongoing campaign to
November 17, 2025
The whole country is extending warm congratulations to the mothers on the occasion of Mother’s Day amid the ongoing campaign to
Farmers of the Songam Farm in Taean District, Nampho Municipality which is located at the gateway to the capital city of the DPRK,
November 17, 2025
Farmers of the Songam Farm in Taean District, Nampho Municipality which is located at the gateway to the capital city of the DPRK,
Modern houses of various styles have been built at the Phosong Farm of the Ryanggang Provincial Rural Economy Committee and at the
November 16, 2025
Modern houses of various styles have been built at the Phosong Farm of the Ryanggang Provincial Rural Economy Committee and at the
The Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Okryu Exhibition House in the DPRK on November 14. Presented
November 16, 2025
The Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Okryu Exhibition House in the DPRK on November 14. Presented
November 16 is Mother’s Day in the DPRK. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung attended the First National Conference of Mothers
November 16, 2025
November 16 is Mother’s Day in the DPRK. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung attended the First National Conference of Mothers
Tangible results have been achieved in the effort to implement the comprehensive mechanization of the rural economy. For the past
November 16, 2025
Tangible results have been achieved in the effort to implement the comprehensive mechanization of the rural economy. For the past
Songs imbued with love and affection for mothers are widely sung across the country in the run-up to Mother’s Day (November 16).
November 16, 2025
Songs imbued with love and affection for mothers are widely sung across the country in the run-up to Mother’s Day (November 16).
Agricultural workers of the Sangri and Upho stockbreeding farms in Phungso County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK, moved into new
November 15, 2025
Agricultural workers of the Sangri and Upho stockbreeding farms in Phungso County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK, moved into new
Early on October 1, 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the rehabilitation site in flood-stricken Kimhwa County,
November 15, 2025
Early on October 1, 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the rehabilitation site in flood-stricken Kimhwa County,
The bell from the Yujom Temple is one of the Korean historical relics, which show the talent of the Korean ancestors. The bell had
November 15, 2025
The bell from the Yujom Temple is one of the Korean historical relics, which show the talent of the Korean ancestors. The bell had
Completed in October 2002, the 150-odd-km-long Kaechon-Lake Thaesong Waterway is a gravitational waterway system for irrigating th
November 15, 2025
Completed in October 2002, the 150-odd-km-long Kaechon-Lake Thaesong Waterway is a gravitational waterway system for irrigating th
Pak Thae Song, premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, met Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister
November 15, 2025
Pak Thae Song, premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, met Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was presented with the credentials of
November 15, 2025
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was presented with the credentials of
On November 13 Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, visited the Kumsusan Palace of
November 15, 2025
On November 13 Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, visited the Kumsusan Palace of
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, released the following press statement titled “G7
November 14, 2025
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, released the following press statement titled “G7
Machine factories across the country have finished the production of equipment for the regional-industry factories to be built
November 14, 2025
Machine factories across the country have finished the production of equipment for the regional-industry factories to be built
The Myohyangsan Pine Tree, named so as it grows in Mt Myohyang, is found in Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan County, Jagang Province.The tree
November 14, 2025
The Myohyangsan Pine Tree, named so as it grows in Mt Myohyang, is found in Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan County, Jagang Province.The tree
More Articles
