From olden times Korea has been widely known for its high-quality silk.
Koreans had already established silk production techniques in ancient times, which saw further improvement during the Koguryo dynasty, the first feudal state in Korea that had existed from 277 BC to AD 668, and the Koryo dynasty (918-1392).
Historical records show that Korean ancestors began to raise mulberry silkworms in ancient times by domesticating wild silkworms and obtained raw silk from them to weave silk stuff for clothes.
It is said that Korean silk was featured by silvery sheen, soft touch and delicacy and it was more expensive than gold.
It was distinctive in terms of weaving and patterning.
To take an example, pieces of silk cloth unearthed in ancient relics in the area of Rangnang District, Pyongyang, were embroidered with beautifully coloured threads and mostly knitted closely.
This showcases the high level of the early silk production techniques in Korea.
Koreans had also developed methods of processing silk threads and weaving beautiful silk cloth.
Given that hemp cloth was the first cloth that had ever been woven in Korea, hand loom was used to weave silk cloth, and it would be of a vertical style. The weaving methods included plain, twill and distortion ones.
Korean silk can be differentiated from foreign ones in the method of obtaining raw silk from silkworms. Koreans did not fully boil silkworms and completely remove sericin on the understanding that the silk cloth woven with the thread processed in this way would be as stiff as starched cloth and soft to the skin.
Herein lies the secret behind the comfortableness, delicacy and freshness of chima (skirt) and jogori (jacket), paji (trousers) and jogori and other traditional Korean wear in daily life.
Korean ancestors were the first to invent patterning.
Patterning methods thrived during the feudal Joson dynasty (1392-1910) in which a variety of gorgeously patterned cloth was produced.
Silk cloth is the toughest, lightest and most beautiful among the natural fibres, and it gives coolness in summer and warmth in winter. It is also flexible and creaseless.
The traditional Korean silk production techniques are on the national intangible heritage list.
Kim Wi Hyok
More From Naenara (En)
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, released the following press statement titled “G7
November 14, 2025
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, released the following press statement titled “G7
Machine factories across the country have finished the production of equipment for the regional-industry factories to be built
November 14, 2025
Machine factories across the country have finished the production of equipment for the regional-industry factories to be built
The Myohyangsan Pine Tree, named so as it grows in Mt Myohyang, is found in Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan County, Jagang Province.The tree
November 14, 2025
The Myohyangsan Pine Tree, named so as it grows in Mt Myohyang, is found in Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan County, Jagang Province.The tree
Modern houses have been built at the Simpho Farm in Unhung County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK. The new village is the precious
November 14, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Simpho Farm in Unhung County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK. The new village is the precious
There took place a story-telling meeting “Mother’s Happiness” of exemplary women agricultural workers and members of the
November 14, 2025
There took place a story-telling meeting “Mother’s Happiness” of exemplary women agricultural workers and members of the
A symposium in the field of history was held at the Academy of Social Sciences in the DPRK on November 12 to denounce the
November 14, 2025
A symposium in the field of history was held at the Academy of Social Sciences in the DPRK on November 12 to denounce the
A bowling alley has been newly built in the Kuksa Peak area of Nampho Municipality. This adds more to the status of the area as a
November 14, 2025
A bowling alley has been newly built in the Kuksa Peak area of Nampho Municipality. This adds more to the status of the area as a
Talks between Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign
November 14, 2025
Talks between Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign
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
An agreement on cooperation in the field of information between the DPRK Information Committee and the Ministry of Digital
November 14, 2025
An agreement on cooperation in the field of information between the DPRK Information Committee and the Ministry of Digital
An exhibition “Development of Light Industry-2025” took place at the Three-Revolution Exhibition House in the capital city of
November 13, 2025
An exhibition “Development of Light Industry-2025” took place at the Three-Revolution Exhibition House in the capital city of
There was a peculiar stand in the light industrial goods exhibition held in October. The stand was featured by a wide range of
November 13, 2025
There was a peculiar stand in the light industrial goods exhibition held in October. The stand was featured by a wide range of
The agricultural workers of the Tongnyon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, the DPRK, moved
November 13, 2025
The agricultural workers of the Tongnyon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, the DPRK, moved
Nampho Municipality has achieved positive results in the effort to disseminate Taekwon-Do. At the National Amateur Taekwon-Do
November 13, 2025
Nampho Municipality has achieved positive results in the effort to disseminate Taekwon-Do. At the National Amateur Taekwon-Do
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
This year farms in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, have adopted a soilless substrate-based rice seedling production method,
November 12, 2025
This year farms in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, have adopted a soilless substrate-based rice seedling production method,
Hwawon Senior Middle School No. 1 in Hwasong District, Pyongyang, runs a fine art group as part of its efforts to cultivate
November 12, 2025
Hwawon Senior Middle School No. 1 in Hwasong District, Pyongyang, runs a fine art group as part of its efforts to cultivate
The Yokkudo Farm in Paechon County, South Hwanghae Province, the DPRK, located in the Yonbaek Plain, a granary on the west coast,
November 12, 2025
The Yokkudo Farm in Paechon County, South Hwanghae Province, the DPRK, located in the Yonbaek Plain, a granary on the west coast,
The Kyongsong Pomiculture Research Branch of the Pomology Institute and the Orang Rice Research Branch of the Rice Institute of
November 12, 2025
The Kyongsong Pomiculture Research Branch of the Pomology Institute and the Orang Rice Research Branch of the Rice Institute of
The badminton group of the Moranbong District Extracurricular Sports School in Pyongyang has won most of the men’s events at the
November 12, 2025
The badminton group of the Moranbong District Extracurricular Sports School in Pyongyang has won most of the men’s events at the
More Articles
