January 18, 2026Jan 18, 2026
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

EU warns US against military invasion of Greenland

EU warns US against military invasion of Greenland

A high-ranking official of the European Union warned on January 12 that the US’ military invasion of Greenland would cause the

January 17, 2026

A high-ranking official of the European Union warned on January 12 that the US’ military invasion of Greenland would cause the

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un receives New Year greetings from abroad

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un receives New Year greetings from abroad

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the New

January 17, 2026

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the New

Young people pay floral tribute at statues of great leaders

Young people pay floral tribute at statues of great leaders

The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League visited the statues

January 17, 2026

The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League visited the statues

New houses built in North Hwanghae Province

New houses built in North Hwanghae Province

At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day, modern dwelling houses were

January 17, 2026

At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day, modern dwelling houses were

Performances strike a chord with people in 2025

Performances strike a chord with people in 2025

One of the abiding memories of 2025 of the Korean people is of the wonderful art performances which make them feel the great

January 17, 2026

One of the abiding memories of 2025 of the Korean people is of the wonderful art performances which make them feel the great

New houses built at farms in Kangwon Province

New houses built at farms in Kangwon Province

New socialist ideal farm villages have been built successively in Kangwon Province, giving pleasure to the people. Dwelling houses

January 16, 2026

New socialist ideal farm villages have been built successively in Kangwon Province, giving pleasure to the people. Dwelling houses

Iranian speaker rejects US’ military threat

Iranian speaker rejects US’ military threat

The speaker of the Iranian parliament decried and rejected the US’ military threat in his speech to the parliament on January 11.H

January 16, 2026

The speaker of the Iranian parliament decried and rejected the US’ military threat in his speech to the parliament on January 11.H

Young people grow more ebullient

Young people grow more ebullient

Young people across the DPRK were gripped by great emotion on the occasion of the New Year 2026. They were impressed by the fact

January 16, 2026

Young people across the DPRK were gripped by great emotion on the occasion of the New Year 2026. They were impressed by the fact

France and UN censure US

France and UN censure US

The French president criticized the US’ foreign policy on January 8. As regards the fact that the US decided to break from 66

January 15, 2026

The French president criticized the US’ foreign policy on January 8. As regards the fact that the US decided to break from 66

Japanese newspaper decries US’ recklessness

Japanese newspaper decries US’ recklessness

The Tokyo Shimbun on January 9 carried an article titled “US threat and blackmail out of common sense” denouncing the reckless mov

January 15, 2026

The Tokyo Shimbun on January 9 carried an article titled “US threat and blackmail out of common sense” denouncing the reckless mov

Art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan leaves Pyongyang

Art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan leaves Pyongyang

The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, left Pyongyang on

January 15, 2026

The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, left Pyongyang on

National sci-tech diffusion system in full operation

National sci-tech diffusion system in full operation

Science and technology are being diffused widely in the DPRK with the Sci-Tech Complex as the hub. Modern regional-industry

January 15, 2026

Science and technology are being diffused widely in the DPRK with the Sci-Tech Complex as the hub. Modern regional-industry

Natural functional cosmetic beautifies skin

Natural functional cosmetic beautifies skin

Haemoglobin cosmetic is now popular among many women. Developed by the Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, this product is applicable to

January 15, 2026

Haemoglobin cosmetic is now popular among many women. Developed by the Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, this product is applicable to

More Articles