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
Thanks to the energetic leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea dynamically opening up a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation
December 20, 2025
Thanks to the energetic leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea dynamically opening up a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation
The Hungarian minister of foreign affairs and trade condemned the NATO secretary general for his wild remarks on December 12. As
December 20, 2025
The Hungarian minister of foreign affairs and trade condemned the NATO secretary general for his wild remarks on December 12. As
Centres for education through experiments and laboratories have wonderfully been built in many universities. Kim Il Sung
December 20, 2025
Centres for education through experiments and laboratories have wonderfully been built in many universities. Kim Il Sung
Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Great Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk sent large flower baskets to the DPRK embassy in Phnom
December 20, 2025
Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Great Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk sent large flower baskets to the DPRK embassy in Phnom
Splendid inauguration ceremonies of regional-industry factories are taking place in the DPRK in succession, significantly adorning
December 20, 2025
Splendid inauguration ceremonies of regional-industry factories are taking place in the DPRK in succession, significantly adorning
As deep emotion and joy sweeps the DPRK in the new era of regional development and prosperity which has been ushered in by the
December 20, 2025
As deep emotion and joy sweeps the DPRK in the new era of regional development and prosperity which has been ushered in by the
The people’s laughter rings out endlessly along with the creations of the era which spring up in different parts of the DPRK to
December 19, 2025
The people’s laughter rings out endlessly along with the creations of the era which spring up in different parts of the DPRK to
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered a journalist’s question raised on the occasion of December 13,
December 19, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered a journalist’s question raised on the occasion of December 13,
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian appealed for rejecting unilateralism for genuine peace as he addressed an international
December 19, 2025
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian appealed for rejecting unilateralism for genuine peace as he addressed an international
Officials, working people, service personnel, youth and students laid flower baskets and bouquets before the statues of President
December 19, 2025
Officials, working people, service personnel, youth and students laid flower baskets and bouquets before the statues of President
All the people across the country honoured the memory of Chairman Kim Jong Il in humblest reverence on the occasion of the 14th
December 19, 2025
All the people across the country honoured the memory of Chairman Kim Jong Il in humblest reverence on the occasion of the 14th
The delegation of the DPRK Ministry of Disaster Management headed by Vice-Minister Ri Ki Chol returned home on December 17 after
December 19, 2025
The delegation of the DPRK Ministry of Disaster Management headed by Vice-Minister Ri Ki Chol returned home on December 17 after
Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and commander-in-chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, sent
December 19, 2025
Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and commander-in-chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, sent
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned Japan for its moves to revive militarism at a press conference on December
December 18, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned Japan for its moves to revive militarism at a press conference on December
The Mexican president resolutely rejected the US’ attempt to take military actions in her country on the pretext of the
December 18, 2025
The Mexican president resolutely rejected the US’ attempt to take military actions in her country on the pretext of the
The exhibition of products of Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories-2025 took place at the Okryu Exhibition House from November
December 18, 2025
The exhibition of products of Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories-2025 took place at the Okryu Exhibition House from November
The ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers' Party of Korea has brought about stirring events in different
December 18, 2025
The ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers' Party of Korea has brought about stirring events in different
Our factory has received numerous certificates of scientific and technological achievements at various festivals, exhibitions and
December 18, 2025
Our factory has received numerous certificates of scientific and technological achievements at various festivals, exhibitions and
All the people including service personnel across the DPRK are paying the highest tribute to Chairman Kim Jong Il with boundless
December 17, 2025
All the people including service personnel across the DPRK are paying the highest tribute to Chairman Kim Jong Il with boundless
Rangnim County greeted the moments of celebrating the inauguration of regional-industry factories built under the energetic
December 17, 2025
Rangnim County greeted the moments of celebrating the inauguration of regional-industry factories built under the energetic
More Articles
