In the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, there are many folk games that reflect the wisdom, intelligence and rich emotions of the nation. One of them is janggi, or Korean chess, which has been enjoyed by the Korean people since ancient times.
As it mirrors the emotion, taste and sentiments of the Korean nation, janggi takes an important part in the cultural and emotional life of its people.
Chess pieces, called kung(king), cha(chariot), pho(cannon), mal(horse), sang(elephant), jol(solider) and sa(guard), show that the board game was created after social and class differentiation took place and the ruling machinery called a state was established.
The game is said to have been developed by army generals in the course of studying tactics and enhancing their command ability in ancient times. Hence the name janggi. Its pieces were octagonal in shape representing the vast stretches of land and thick forests. The colours of the chess pieces were red and blue to distinguish between the two sides as the forests looked blue from the ground and the ground looked red from the forests.
Historical records say that Korean chess dates back to the mid-5th century, but its origin is believed to be much earlier.
As it was simple in constitutional system and playing mode and unique and profound in the combination of moves, janggi was gradually spread widely among the people.
Over time it has evolved on the basis of scientific principles in conformity with the sentiments, taste and spirit of the Korean people.
The Korean board game with a long history still has positive influence on intellectual and personality development of the people.
Janggi, a good companion for the emotional life of the people, has been put on the national intangible cultural heritage list.
More From Pyongyang Times
A spokesman for the Chinese defence ministry censured Japan for clamouring against the “threat from China”, while finding fault wi
March 25, 2026
A spokesman for the Chinese defence ministry censured Japan for clamouring against the “threat from China”, while finding fault wi
The European Union announced that it would impose sanctions on two Chinese and one Iranian companies on March 16.The EU accused th
March 25, 2026
The European Union announced that it would impose sanctions on two Chinese and one Iranian companies on March 16.The EU accused th
Graduating class students of senior middle schools in South Hwanghae Province have volunteered for the posts of national defence.
March 25, 2026
Graduating class students of senior middle schools in South Hwanghae Province have volunteered for the posts of national defence.
The Workers’ Party of Korea and the DPRK government made lots of achievements under the banner of “The people are god”, single-min
March 25, 2026
The Workers’ Party of Korea and the DPRK government made lots of achievements under the banner of “The people are god”, single-min
The number of high-yielding farming units is on a steady increase across the DPRK. The Phungjong Farm in Jungsan County and the
March 25, 2026
The number of high-yielding farming units is on a steady increase across the DPRK. The Phungjong Farm in Jungsan County and the
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republ
March 24, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republ
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
March 24, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
The second-day sitting of the First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
March 24, 2026
The second-day sitting of the First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma of Russia, said on March 17 that the US, the UK and other Western countries are
March 24, 2026
Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma of Russia, said on March 17 that the US, the UK and other Western countries are
Objections to the authorities' scheme to relax the ban on arms export are being voiced in Japan. An opinion poll was recently
March 24, 2026
Objections to the authorities' scheme to relax the ban on arms export are being voiced in Japan. An opinion poll was recently
The Mt Paektu area, which was registered as a global geopark in April 2025, is rich in natural resources for tourism including
March 24, 2026
The Mt Paektu area, which was registered as a global geopark in April 2025, is rich in natural resources for tourism including
Pak Thae Song, premier of the Cabinet, made a report on the work of the Cabinet at the First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s
March 24, 2026
Pak Thae Song, premier of the Cabinet, made a report on the work of the Cabinet at the First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Kim Tong Ok, a centenarian living in neighbourhood unit No. 3 of
March 24, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Kim Tong Ok, a centenarian living in neighbourhood unit No. 3 of
Employees of regional-industry factories in the City of Sinpho and Jongphyong County of South Hamgyong Province are pushing ahead
March 23, 2026
Employees of regional-industry factories in the City of Sinpho and Jongphyong County of South Hamgyong Province are pushing ahead
The election of the president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea representing the DPRK and its
March 23, 2026
The election of the president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea representing the DPRK and its
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko warned NATO and Ukraine against covetously looking over his country at a recent press
March 23, 2026
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko warned NATO and Ukraine against covetously looking over his country at a recent press
The 25th Winter Paralympics which opened on March 6 in Italy was closed on March 15. The president of the International Paralympic
March 23, 2026
The 25th Winter Paralympics which opened on March 6 in Italy was closed on March 15. The president of the International Paralympic
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK elected the Standing Committee of the SPA as follows: The
March 23, 2026
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK elected the Standing Committee of the SPA as follows: The
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK conducted the important and responsible work for electing
March 23, 2026
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK conducted the important and responsible work for electing
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK elected the State Affairs Commission as follows: The State
March 23, 2026
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK elected the State Affairs Commission as follows: The State
More Articles
