November 15, 2025Nov 15, 2025
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Horsemanship of Koguryo people seen through tomb murals

Date: 20/05/2024 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

The Korean ancestors attached much importance to military affairs and enjoyed horse riding, thus possessing skilful horsemanship in the period of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668).

The Yaksu-ri and other tomb murals dating back to the period of Koguryo depict scenes of people on horseback hunting with bows and arrows tiger, bear, roe deer and other wild animals. This intensively shows the Koguryo people’s excellent horsemanship and archery.

They polished horsemanship through hunting and practised it through regular training in martial arts.

The Tokhung-ri tomb mural vividly portrays competitors shooting arrows at fixed targets on horseback. It shows four competitors, two referees and one scorer. Written on the right side of the mural are words reading: “This is a scene of an archery game on horseback in the west yard.”

Although the mural depicts only a scene of archery on horseback, the Koguryo people improved their horsemanship through racing, sword and spear wielding on horseback and other martial art training.

The Phalchong-ri and Yaksu-ri tomb murals from the period of Koguryo show people handling other tools on horseback, a high skill which was impossible without refined horsemanship.

The Koguryo people’s outstanding horsemanship played a decisive role in their fight to defend their territory and safeguard the dignity and sovereignty of the country and nation and it was carried on generation after generation.

More From Pyongyang Times

Russia criticizes Europe for fomenting Ukrainian dispute

Russia criticizes Europe for fomenting Ukrainian dispute

Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, accused Europe of fomenting the Ukrainian dispute at a press conference

November 14, 2025

Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, accused Europe of fomenting the Ukrainian dispute at a press conference

European regional seminar on Juche idea held in Finland

European regional seminar on Juche idea held in Finland

The European regional Juche idea seminar on "Independence, Peace and Social Development" took place in Helsinki, Finland, on

November 14, 2025

The European regional Juche idea seminar on "Independence, Peace and Social Development" took place in Helsinki, Finland, on

Iran blames US for Israel’s aggression

Iran blames US for Israel’s aggression

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry asserted that the US is responsible for the aggressive moves of Israel through an SNS

November 14, 2025

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry asserted that the US is responsible for the aggressive moves of Israel through an SNS

Autumn aesthetic symposium of urban management sector held

Autumn aesthetic symposium of urban management sector held

The 2025 autumn aesthetic symposium of the urban management sector took place at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang on November 12.

November 14, 2025

The 2025 autumn aesthetic symposium of the urban management sector took place at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang on November 12.

Exemplary women agricultural workers and members of UAWK meet

Exemplary women agricultural workers and members of UAWK meet

There took place a story-telling meeting "Mother's Happiness" of exemplary women agricultural workers and members of the Union of

November 14, 2025

There took place a story-telling meeting "Mother's Happiness" of exemplary women agricultural workers and members of the Union of

Modern houses built at Simpho Farm

Modern houses built at Simpho Farm

Modern houses have been built at the Simpho Farm in Unhung County of Ryanggang Province. There took place a ceremony of moving

November 14, 2025

Modern houses have been built at the Simpho Farm in Unhung County of Ryanggang Province. There took place a ceremony of moving

International symposium of Kim Chaek University of Technology held

International symposium of Kim Chaek University of Technology held

The International Symposium of Kim Chaek University of Technology-2025 took place on November 11 and 12. More than 120 sci-tech

November 14, 2025

The International Symposium of Kim Chaek University of Technology-2025 took place on November 11 and 12. More than 120 sci-tech

Reception given for Lao Foreign Minister

Reception given for Lao Foreign Minister

The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea hosted a reception on the evening of November 12 in honour of

November 14, 2025

The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea hosted a reception on the evening of November 12 in honour of

Disabled paddler achieves his dream

Disabled paddler achieves his dream

Jon Ju Hyon is one of the disabled table tennis players. He began to play table tennis in his primary school days. According to

November 13, 2025

Jon Ju Hyon is one of the disabled table tennis players. He began to play table tennis in his primary school days. According to

Chinese deputy representative to UN dismisses US accusation

Chinese deputy representative to UN dismisses US accusation

The Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations rejected an unfounded accusation the US representative made as

November 13, 2025

The Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations rejected an unfounded accusation the US representative made as

Farmers of Tokryon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms move into new houses

Farmers of Tokryon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms move into new houses

The agricultural workers of the Tokryon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, moved into new

November 13, 2025

The agricultural workers of the Tokryon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, moved into new

Lao foreign minister arrives in Pyongyang

Lao foreign minister arrives in Pyongyang

Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and his party arrived in Pyongyang on November

November 13, 2025

Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and his party arrived in Pyongyang on November

Delegation of Russian news agency arrives in Pyongyang

Delegation of Russian news agency arrives in Pyongyang

A delegation of the Russian news agency Segodnya led by First Deputy Editor-in-Chief Sergei Kochetkov arrived in Pyongyang on

November 12, 2025

A delegation of the Russian news agency Segodnya led by First Deputy Editor-in-Chief Sergei Kochetkov arrived in Pyongyang on

Refugee disaster in the Mediterranean teaches a lesson

Refugee disaster in the Mediterranean teaches a lesson

The Mediterranean is turning into a “deadfall” for refugees. Recently a UN spokesman said that more than 32 700 refugees lost

November 12, 2025

The Mediterranean is turning into a “deadfall” for refugees. Recently a UN spokesman said that more than 32 700 refugees lost

Canadian government issues budget plan for reducing reliance on US

Canadian government issues budget plan for reducing reliance on US

The Canadian government announced a draft state budget aimed at reducing reliance on the US on November 4. The minister of finance

November 12, 2025

The Canadian government announced a draft state budget aimed at reducing reliance on the US on November 4. The minister of finance

Iran’s Islamic revolution leader refers to cause of conflict with US

Iran’s Islamic revolution leader refers to cause of conflict with US

Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, mentioned the root cause of conflict with the United States as he address

November 11, 2025

Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, mentioned the root cause of conflict with the United States as he address

Nuclear submarine launched in Russia

Nuclear submarine launched in Russia

Russia has recently launched nuclear submarine Khabarovsk. The launching ceremony of the submarine was held in Severodvinsk in the

November 11, 2025

Russia has recently launched nuclear submarine Khabarovsk. The launching ceremony of the submarine was held in Severodvinsk in the

More Articles