Subakhui is a kind of martial art to strike the opponent or block his attack using hands.
The scenes of performing this Korean-style martial art are depicted vividly in old tomb murals.
They include the three-chamber tomb, dance tomb and the Mausoleum of King Kogugwon from the period of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668).
Figures in the murals take different postures: one lifting a hand high to strike the opponent, another one hitting down at the opponent and the other one preparing to block an attack by the opponent.
The scenes are similar to the illustrations from the 18th century explaining subakhui and the art of fist fight.
This shows that subakhui was handed down steadily since the period of the Koguryo Kingdom. The martial art was often practised mainly by soldiers in the period of Koryo (918-1392). It was widely propagated among the people during the feudal Joson dynasty (1392-1910).
Since subakhui is a game of striking down the opponent, the winner is decided according to how and where to strike the opponent.
That is why the main method of subakhui was to hit the vitals of the opponent with strong strikes and bring him down, and correctly find out his weak points and concentrate the strike on them. And players had to block or dodge the opponent’s attack in a clever way and should not discontinue attack by displaying perseverance, even if they were hit.
Therefore, they had to grasp the knacks, build up physical strength and cultivate patience through everyday practice.
In the latter half of the feudal Joson dynasty, the use of feet was added to it and therefore it developed into thaekkyon and famous nalpharam of the Pyongyang area.
Thaekkyon was to strike the opponent using hands and feet, while nalpharam was to hit the opponent using mainly hands and also feet and head.
Such practices helped build up a healthy body and contributed to the defence of the country.
More From Pyongyang Times
At the time when the cheers for inaugurations celebrating the steady success in implementing the regional development policy are
December 29, 2025
At the time when the cheers for inaugurations celebrating the steady success in implementing the regional development policy are
A long-range strategic cruise missile launching drill was staged on the West Sea of Korea on December 28. The drill was aimed at
December 29, 2025
A long-range strategic cruise missile launching drill was staged on the West Sea of Korea on December 28. The drill was aimed at
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a speech at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on December 21. The Eurasian
December 29, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a speech at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on December 21. The Eurasian
To preserve the rights of children is an important issue related with the development of countries and nations and the future of h
December 29, 2025
To preserve the rights of children is an important issue related with the development of countries and nations and the future of h
New houses have appeared at the Samwon Industrial Crop Farm and the Hyangphung Farm in Songchon County and the Yakjon Farm in
December 29, 2025
New houses have appeared at the Samwon Industrial Crop Farm and the Hyangphung Farm in Songchon County and the Yakjon Farm in
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Japan’s “theory of nuclear possession” at a press conference on D
December 29, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Japan’s “theory of nuclear possession” at a press conference on D
The Sangwon Cement Complex carried out its 2025 task for additionally producing hundreds of thousands of tons of cement and
December 29, 2025
The Sangwon Cement Complex carried out its 2025 task for additionally producing hundreds of thousands of tons of cement and
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
December 28, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
A national flag-raising and oath-taking ceremony took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on December 27 to mark Constitution Day
December 28, 2025
A national flag-raising and oath-taking ceremony took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on December 27 to mark Constitution Day
People in Kaephung District of Kaesong Municipality greeted the moment of a significantly auspicious event. An inauguration
December 28, 2025
People in Kaephung District of Kaesong Municipality greeted the moment of a significantly auspicious event. An inauguration
In Yomju County, a northwestern coastal area of the DPRK, modern regional-industry factories have been built as a solid foundation
December 28, 2025
In Yomju County, a northwestern coastal area of the DPRK, modern regional-industry factories have been built as a solid foundation
Modern houses have been built at farms in Nampho Municipality, manifesting the change of the socialist modern villages that are
December 28, 2025
Modern houses have been built at farms in Nampho Municipality, manifesting the change of the socialist modern villages that are
Fashionable dwelling houses have appeared at the Pumin and Songhung farms and the Toksong Apple Farm in Hamhung City of South
December 28, 2025
Fashionable dwelling houses have appeared at the Pumin and Songhung farms and the Toksong Apple Farm in Hamhung City of South
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
December 28, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
Ryanggang Province built a new black swan breeding base at the Kapsan Duck Farm under the provincial rural economy committee. The
December 28, 2025
Ryanggang Province built a new black swan breeding base at the Kapsan Duck Farm under the provincial rural economy committee. The
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Vladimir
December 28, 2025
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Vladimir
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a flower basket from Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Central Committee of
December 28, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a flower basket from Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Central Committee of
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from
December 28, 2025
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the achievements made by the Eurasian Economic Union on December 21. Saying that the
December 27, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the achievements made by the Eurasian Economic Union on December 21. Saying that the
The December 15 Quality Medals were awarded to the best products of the Phyongsong Bag Factory, the Songdowon General Foodstuff
December 27, 2025
The December 15 Quality Medals were awarded to the best products of the Phyongsong Bag Factory, the Songdowon General Foodstuff
More Articles
