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
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denounced the militarist policy of the European Union at a press conference
November 15, 2025
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denounced the militarist policy of the European Union at a press conference
With the economic recession dragging on in Western countries these days, businesses continue to go bankrupt and accordingly the
November 15, 2025
With the economic recession dragging on in Western countries these days, businesses continue to go bankrupt and accordingly the
Three years have passed since the Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea
November 15, 2025
Three years have passed since the Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, accused Europe of fomenting the Ukrainian dispute at a press conference
November 14, 2025
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, accused Europe of fomenting the Ukrainian dispute at a press conference
The European regional Juche idea seminar on "Independence, Peace and Social Development" took place in Helsinki, Finland, on
November 14, 2025
The European regional Juche idea seminar on "Independence, Peace and Social Development" took place in Helsinki, Finland, on
A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry asserted that the US is responsible for the aggressive moves of Israel through an SNS
November 14, 2025
A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry asserted that the US is responsible for the aggressive moves of Israel through an SNS
The 2025 autumn aesthetic symposium of the urban management sector took place at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang on November 12.
November 14, 2025
The 2025 autumn aesthetic symposium of the urban management sector took place at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang on November 12.
The Ilhyang Farm in Kyongsong County of North Hamgyong Province reaped a good harvest this year, too. There took place a meeting
November 14, 2025
The Ilhyang Farm in Kyongsong County of North Hamgyong Province reaped a good harvest this year, too. There took place a meeting
There took place a story-telling meeting "Mother's Happiness" of exemplary women agricultural workers and members of the Union of
November 14, 2025
There took place a story-telling meeting "Mother's Happiness" of exemplary women agricultural workers and members of the Union of
Modern houses have been built at the Simpho Farm in Unhung County of Ryanggang Province. There took place a ceremony of moving
November 14, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Simpho Farm in Unhung County of Ryanggang Province. There took place a ceremony of moving
An agreement on cooperation in the field of public information between the DPRK Information Committee and the Ministry of Digital
November 14, 2025
An agreement on cooperation in the field of public information between the DPRK Information Committee and the Ministry of Digital
The International Symposium of Kim Chaek University of Technology-2025 took place on November 11 and 12. More than 120 sci-tech
November 14, 2025
The International Symposium of Kim Chaek University of Technology-2025 took place on November 11 and 12. More than 120 sci-tech
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
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
Jon Ju Hyon is one of the disabled table tennis players. He began to play table tennis in his primary school days. According to
November 13, 2025
Jon Ju Hyon is one of the disabled table tennis players. He began to play table tennis in his primary school days. According to
The Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations rejected an unfounded accusation the US representative made as
November 13, 2025
The Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations rejected an unfounded accusation the US representative made as
The agricultural workers of the Tokryon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, moved into new
November 13, 2025
The agricultural workers of the Tokryon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, moved into new
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
The Taean Friendship Glass Factory has recently updated the PLC control system of its tempered glass production process, thus
November 12, 2025
The Taean Friendship Glass Factory has recently updated the PLC control system of its tempered glass production process, thus
A delegation of the Russian news agency Segodnya led by First Deputy Editor-in-Chief Sergei Kochetkov arrived in Pyongyang on
November 12, 2025
A delegation of the Russian news agency Segodnya led by First Deputy Editor-in-Chief Sergei Kochetkov arrived in Pyongyang on
More Articles
