Archery was one of the time-honoured martial arts of the Korean ancestors.
Archery, which had thrived since Tangun’s Korea, reached a new height in the period of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668).
This was evidenced by the fact that King Tongmyong who founded Koguryo was called Jumong, which means a man who excels in archery.
The Koguryo people enjoyed archery from their childhood and regarded it as part of their life.
They paid attention to teaching their children how to shoot arrows, and excellent archers handed their forte and special techniques over to their children to carry on the tradition through generations.
According to historical records, Koguryo people built a big house called Kyongdang in each village to teach unmarried young people how to read and write and shoot arrows.
On March 3 by the lunar calendar every year, a national hunting game was held in a bid to encourage archery and horse riding.
Archery is well represented in Koguryo tomb murals, particularly those in Tokhung-ri and Yaksu-ri, which depict people shooting arrows on horseback in pursuit of a tiger or taking aim at a roe or deer with bows.
This tells that archery formed an organic whole with labour and life of the Koguryo people.
Old books say that maekgung made by the Koguryo people was highly appreciated as a very good bow even by neighbouring countries.
Even after the Koguryo period, archery was long promoted as one of the popular martial arts.
Today archery is widely practiced as a sport or recreational game.
Kye Sung Mu, researcher at the Folklore Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences
More From Naenara (En)
Kim Song, permanent representative of the DPRK to the UN, issued the following press statement on January 13: Another unusual
January 14, 2026
Kim Song, permanent representative of the DPRK to the UN, issued the following press statement on January 13: Another unusual
The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
January 14, 2026
The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
Last year the Sangwon Cement Complex managed to increase the cement production by hundreds of thousands of tons. The complex set a
January 14, 2026
Last year the Sangwon Cement Complex managed to increase the cement production by hundreds of thousands of tons. The complex set a
In the DPRK the Worker-Peasant Red Guards constitute one of the two pillars of the country’s armed forces together with the
January 14, 2026
In the DPRK the Worker-Peasant Red Guards constitute one of the two pillars of the country’s armed forces together with the
Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
January 14, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
A photo exhibition “Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great policy of
January 14, 2026
A photo exhibition “Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great policy of
Shuttlecock game is played by kicking the shuttlecock to perform various stunts or compete to kick it more than others.As one of t
January 14, 2026
Shuttlecock game is played by kicking the shuttlecock to perform various stunts or compete to kick it more than others.As one of t
Last year the DPRK built many public sports and leisure facilities in various places. The Ice Rink in the capital city of
January 14, 2026
Last year the DPRK built many public sports and leisure facilities in various places. The Ice Rink in the capital city of
One day in September 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kangbuk-ri, Kumchon County, North Hwanghae Province, which
January 13, 2026
One day in September 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kangbuk-ri, Kumchon County, North Hwanghae Province, which
The DPRK is promoting medical sci-tech exchanges. Symposiums and seminars in the field of medical sciences are held every year.
January 13, 2026
The DPRK is promoting medical sci-tech exchanges. Symposiums and seminars in the field of medical sciences are held every year.
2025 marked the final year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth
January 13, 2026
2025 marked the final year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth
At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County,
January 13, 2026
At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County,
Citizens of the DPRK conducted mass sports activities on the first day of sports for this year. Sports games were held at
January 13, 2026
Citizens of the DPRK conducted mass sports activities on the first day of sports for this year. Sports games were held at
New houses have been built at farm villages of Singye-ri, Hoeyang County and Jiha-ri, Phangyo County, Kangwon Province. The houses
January 12, 2026
New houses have been built at farm villages of Singye-ri, Hoeyang County and Jiha-ri, Phangyo County, Kangwon Province. The houses
From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security
January 12, 2026
From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press
January 11, 2026
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press
The first-term winter camping began at the Songdowon International Children's Camp in the DPRK. A ceremony of starting the camping
January 11, 2026
The first-term winter camping began at the Songdowon International Children's Camp in the DPRK. A ceremony of starting the camping
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a flower basket to Thongloun Sisoulith upon his reelection as the general secretary of the
January 11, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a flower basket to Thongloun Sisoulith upon his reelection as the general secretary of the
New houses have been built in Sambong-ri of Phyongwon County and Yonphung-ri of Anju City, South Phyongan Province of the DPRK.
January 11, 2026
New houses have been built in Sambong-ri of Phyongwon County and Yonphung-ri of Anju City, South Phyongan Province of the DPRK.
A meeting with sportspersons who won the international games in 2025 was held on January 9. Present there were Kim Il Guk,
January 11, 2026
A meeting with sportspersons who won the international games in 2025 was held on January 9. Present there were Kim Il Guk,
More Articles
