February 10, 2026Feb 10, 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

Hungary sues EU for banning import of Russian energy

Hungary sues EU for banning import of Russian energy

Hungary brought a legal action to the European Court of Justice on February 2 in protest against the decision of the European

February 09, 2026

Hungary brought a legal action to the European Court of Justice on February 2 in protest against the decision of the European

Meeting held to convey ‘Jingmaeng’ farm machines

Meeting held to convey ‘Jingmaeng’ farm machines

“Jingmaeng” farm machines, provided by the trade union organizations ahead of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, w

February 09, 2026

“Jingmaeng” farm machines, provided by the trade union organizations ahead of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, w

Birthday spread sent to centenarian

Birthday spread sent to centenarian

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ri Son Ae, a woman resident in Neighbourhood Unit No. 33, Soryong-dong

February 09, 2026

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ri Son Ae, a woman resident in Neighbourhood Unit No. 33, Soryong-dong

Conferences of provincial (municipal) committees of WPK held

Conferences of provincial (municipal) committees of WPK held

Preparations are now under way in the DPRK to successfully hold the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, which will mark

February 09, 2026

Preparations are now under way in the DPRK to successfully hold the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, which will mark

Chinese FM denounces US’ oppression

Chinese FM denounces US’ oppression

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry at a press conference on February 2 censured the US for oppressing Chinese citizens.C

February 08, 2026

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry at a press conference on February 2 censured the US for oppressing Chinese citizens.C

National economic plans for January fulfilled in various units

National economic plans for January fulfilled in various units

New standards and new records were set one after another at many units of the national economy, the national economic plans for

February 07, 2026

New standards and new records were set one after another at many units of the national economy, the national economic plans for

Iran warns against US’ hostile act

Iran warns against US’ hostile act

Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, expressed his stand to counter the US’ hostile act in a large-scale mass

February 07, 2026

Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, expressed his stand to counter the US’ hostile act in a large-scale mass

Noteworthy event in DPRK’s journey of conquering space

Noteworthy event in DPRK’s journey of conquering space

Ten years have passed since the earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong 4 was successfully launched in the DPRK.When Kwangmyong

February 07, 2026

Ten years have passed since the earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong 4 was successfully launched in the DPRK.When Kwangmyong

Distance education system over a decade on

Distance education system over a decade on

Over ten years have passed since the distance education system was launched in the DPRK. This system which is being actively

February 06, 2026

Over ten years have passed since the distance education system was launched in the DPRK. This system which is being actively

Iranian FM censures German chancellor for reckless remarks

Iranian FM censures German chancellor for reckless remarks

A department director of the Iranian Foreign Ministry called the German ambassador to Iran on January 29 to denounce and reject

February 06, 2026

A department director of the Iranian Foreign Ministry called the German ambassador to Iran on January 29 to denounce and reject

2026 National Winter Games open

2026 National Winter Games open

The 2026 National Winter Games opened with due ceremony at the ice hockey gymnasium of the Mt Paektu area sports village in

February 06, 2026

The 2026 National Winter Games opened with due ceremony at the ice hockey gymnasium of the Mt Paektu area sports village in

DPRK players successful in international wrestling tournament

DPRK players successful in international wrestling tournament

DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament "Ivan Yarygin Cup" held in

February 06, 2026

DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament "Ivan Yarygin Cup" held in

Public and production buildings inaugurated in Unpha County

Public and production buildings inaugurated in Unpha County

New public and production buildings have appeared at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County of North Hwanghae Province, giving a

February 06, 2026

New public and production buildings have appeared at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County of North Hwanghae Province, giving a

Great golden age of construction brings great transformation (1)

Great golden age of construction brings great transformation (1)

The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea worked out a yearly plan for building 10 000 flats in Pyongyang every year

February 06, 2026

The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea worked out a yearly plan for building 10 000 flats in Pyongyang every year

More Articles