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)
Tamjing (579-631) was a monk and an artist of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668). In 610 he was invited to Japan to draw paintings on the
March 18, 2026
Tamjing (579-631) was a monk and an artist of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668). In 610 he was invited to Japan to draw paintings on the
Thanks to the wise leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea to provide the people with a happier life and more cultured living
March 18, 2026
Thanks to the wise leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea to provide the people with a happier life and more cultured living
The election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly took place in the DPRK. All the people and service personnel of
March 17, 2026
The election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly took place in the DPRK. All the people and service personnel of
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK will be convened in Pyongyang on March 22, 2026. The SPA
March 17, 2026
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK will be convened in Pyongyang on March 22, 2026. The SPA
Senior Party and government officials went over to sub-constituencies in different parts of the DPRK to take part in the election
March 17, 2026
Senior Party and government officials went over to sub-constituencies in different parts of the DPRK to take part in the election
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK will be convened in Pyongyang on March 22, 2026. The session
March 17, 2026
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK will be convened in Pyongyang on March 22, 2026. The session
The Central Election Committee for the Election of Deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s
March 17, 2026
The Central Election Committee for the Election of Deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s
The common spruce forest is located 700 metres above sea level, which is three kilometres southwest of the seat of Chonjang-ri,
March 17, 2026
The common spruce forest is located 700 metres above sea level, which is three kilometres southwest of the seat of Chonjang-ri,
The site of Koguryo’s wooden bridge over the Taedong River is the remains of a big wooden bridge built in front of the Anhak Palac
March 17, 2026
The site of Koguryo’s wooden bridge over the Taedong River is the remains of a big wooden bridge built in front of the Anhak Palac
On January 31 five babies greeted their first birth anniversary in the DPRK. The mother of the quintuplets, the first of its kind
March 17, 2026
On January 31 five babies greeted their first birth anniversary in the DPRK. The mother of the quintuplets, the first of its kind
Working people’s organizations of the DPRK conducted tree planting on the occasion of the Tree-planting Day.Officials of the Centr
March 16, 2026
Working people’s organizations of the DPRK conducted tree planting on the occasion of the Tree-planting Day.Officials of the Centr
Among the DPRK’s intangible cultural heritage items is folk song “Arirang.”The song symbolic of the Korean folk songs began to be
March 16, 2026
Among the DPRK’s intangible cultural heritage items is folk song “Arirang.”The song symbolic of the Korean folk songs began to be
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
March 16, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The central election committee for the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s
March 16, 2026
The central election committee for the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s
March 16 this year marks the 103rd anniversary of the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung ’s 250-mile journey for learning. In his
March 16, 2026
March 16 this year marks the 103rd anniversary of the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung ’s 250-mile journey for learning. In his
The recently-held Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea underscored the need to invariably lift the ideals of “The people
March 16, 2026
The recently-held Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea underscored the need to invariably lift the ideals of “The people
Samgori zelkova grows in Kaesong Municipality. Known to be planted around 1590, the tree is 17.5 metres tall, 7.5 metres round at
March 16, 2026
Samgori zelkova grows in Kaesong Municipality. Known to be planted around 1590, the tree is 17.5 metres tall, 7.5 metres round at
Trees were planted across the country on the occasion of the Tree-planting Day. Officials of the State Planning Commission, the
March 16, 2026
Trees were planted across the country on the occasion of the Tree-planting Day. Officials of the State Planning Commission, the
The 13th enlarged plenary meeting of the Ninth Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK) was held on
March 15, 2026
The 13th enlarged plenary meeting of the Ninth Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK) was held on
Agricultural workers and members of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK) held a meeting in Jaeryong County on March
March 15, 2026
Agricultural workers and members of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK) held a meeting in Jaeryong County on March
More Articles
