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
European countries are strongly resisting the US’ threat to impose from February 1 10 percent tariff on those countries which do n
January 24, 2026
European countries are strongly resisting the US’ threat to impose from February 1 10 percent tariff on those countries which do n
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov mentioned about a series of international issues at the recent press
January 23, 2026
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov mentioned about a series of international issues at the recent press
The US Senators and Representatives recently criticized the authorities' attempt to annex Greenland. Military invasion of
January 23, 2026
The US Senators and Representatives recently criticized the authorities' attempt to annex Greenland. Military invasion of
A new spectacular sight of regional development has unfolded in the Yombunjin area renowned as a scenic attraction on the east
January 23, 2026
A new spectacular sight of regional development has unfolded in the Yombunjin area renowned as a scenic attraction on the east
Several rural villages in South Phyongan Province have undergone radical changes. Modern houses were built in Soje-ri of Taedong
January 23, 2026
Several rural villages in South Phyongan Province have undergone radical changes. Modern houses were built in Soje-ri of Taedong
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ri Ok Suk, a war veteran living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 14 of
January 23, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ri Ok Suk, a war veteran living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 14 of
Working people in Kaesong have remodelled the finishing building materials factory. The completion of the factory, furnished with
January 23, 2026
Working people in Kaesong have remodelled the finishing building materials factory. The completion of the factory, furnished with
In 1925 President Kim Il Sung made the 1 000-ri (250 miles) Journey for National Liberation with a lofty aim to win back his
January 23, 2026
In 1925 President Kim Il Sung made the 1 000-ri (250 miles) Journey for National Liberation with a lofty aim to win back his
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the foreign policy line of his country in a diplomatic meeting on January 15. He
January 22, 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the foreign policy line of his country in a diplomatic meeting on January 15. He
With contagious diseases breaking out one after another across the world, a flu epidemic is rapidly spreading. The World Health
January 22, 2026
With contagious diseases breaking out one after another across the world, a flu epidemic is rapidly spreading. The World Health
Mountain villages in Jagang Province are turning into a fairyland. House-moving in Puji-ri of Songgan County, Ryongmun-ri of
January 22, 2026
Mountain villages in Jagang Province are turning into a fairyland. House-moving in Puji-ri of Songgan County, Ryongmun-ri of
A new catalyst production base has been built at the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex. The catalyst production base is another
January 22, 2026
A new catalyst production base has been built at the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex. The catalyst production base is another
With the implementation of the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, regional-industry factories are
January 22, 2026
With the implementation of the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, regional-industry factories are
The Youth Movement Museum marked the tenth anniversary of its founding. The respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un personally
January 22, 2026
The Youth Movement Museum marked the tenth anniversary of its founding. The respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un personally
It has been ten years since the Youth Movement Museum was opened to public to convey the Workers' Party of Korea's idea of
January 22, 2026
It has been ten years since the Youth Movement Museum was opened to public to convey the Workers' Party of Korea's idea of
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Security Council of Russia, posted an article on an SNS on January 12 to deride the US’ atte
January 21, 2026
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Security Council of Russia, posted an article on an SNS on January 12 to deride the US’ atte
Russia decided to deport a diplomat of the British embassy in the country. On January 15, the Russian Foreign Ministry called the
January 21, 2026
Russia decided to deport a diplomat of the British embassy in the country. On January 15, the Russian Foreign Ministry called the
Spectacular scenes of rural development have unfolded at several farms in Kangwon Province. Newly-built public and production
January 21, 2026
Spectacular scenes of rural development have unfolded at several farms in Kangwon Province. Newly-built public and production
The Academy of Forest Science has been built on a modern basis. The academy has all facilities and conditions, including an office
January 21, 2026
The Academy of Forest Science has been built on a modern basis. The academy has all facilities and conditions, including an office
The case of poisoning of Emperor Kojong is recorded as one of the violations of the sovereignty of Korea committed by the Japanese
January 21, 2026
The case of poisoning of Emperor Kojong is recorded as one of the violations of the sovereignty of Korea committed by the Japanese
More Articles
