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
There came an epoch-making success of concluding the construction of 50 000 flats in Pyongyang, which had powerfully been carried
February 17, 2026
There came an epoch-making success of concluding the construction of 50 000 flats in Pyongyang, which had powerfully been carried
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned the orientation of the country’s diplomatic work in a video speech on February
February 17, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned the orientation of the country’s diplomatic work in a video speech on February
The Hungarian minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade criticized the forced army recruitment which is being enforced in Ukraine with
February 17, 2026
The Hungarian minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade criticized the forced army recruitment which is being enforced in Ukraine with
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the General Association of Koreans in China on February
February 17, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the General Association of Koreans in China on February
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the Central Standing Committee of the General Association
February 17, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the Central Standing Committee of the General Association
Lunar New Year’s Day is one of the greatest national folk holidays of the Korean people. From ancient times, each family cleaned
February 17, 2026
Lunar New Year’s Day is one of the greatest national folk holidays of the Korean people. From ancient times, each family cleaned
Saeppyol Street has made an imposing appearance in an excellent location in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang, the capital of the
February 16, 2026
Saeppyol Street has made an imposing appearance in an excellent location in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang, the capital of the
Present here today are the bereaved family members of the fallen soldiers and other combatants as well as the combatants of the
February 16, 2026
Present here today are the bereaved family members of the fallen soldiers and other combatants as well as the combatants of the
A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General
February 16, 2026
A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the reckless remarks of the Japanese prime minister at a press conference on
February 16, 2026
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the reckless remarks of the Japanese prime minister at a press conference on
When February comes every year, Min Hong Dan, an officer of the Korean People’s Army, remembers the extraordinary story of her nam
February 16, 2026
When February comes every year, Min Hong Dan, an officer of the Korean People’s Army, remembers the extraordinary story of her nam
Flower baskets were sent to the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang by the
February 16, 2026
Flower baskets were sent to the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang by the
Seminars on exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il were held in Cambodia, Pakistan, Romania, the Czech Republic and Algeria from January
February 15, 2026
Seminars on exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il were held in Cambodia, Pakistan, Romania, the Czech Republic and Algeria from January
An international organization, personages of foreign countries, families of persons related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary
February 15, 2026
An international organization, personages of foreign countries, families of persons related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the United States and the West for pursuing a hostile policy in an interview on
February 15, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the United States and the West for pursuing a hostile policy in an interview on
Art group members of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace gave a performance "Song of happiness resounding in the sky of
February 15, 2026
Art group members of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace gave a performance "Song of happiness resounding in the sky of
The commander-in-chief of the Iranian army referred to the enemy’s acts of provocation in a meeting of commanding officers of
February 15, 2026
The commander-in-chief of the Iranian army referred to the enemy’s acts of provocation in a meeting of commanding officers of
Youth and students met with socialist patriotic young pioneers at the hall of the youth league on February 13. Speeches were made
February 15, 2026
Youth and students met with socialist patriotic young pioneers at the hall of the youth league on February 13. Speeches were made
Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wang Yajun on February 12 hosted a reception at his embassy on the occasion of the lunar New Year's
February 14, 2026
Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wang Yajun on February 12 hosted a reception at his embassy on the occasion of the lunar New Year's
The 25th National Youth and Children's Festival of Loyalty opened in the DPRK on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday,
February 14, 2026
The 25th National Youth and Children's Festival of Loyalty opened in the DPRK on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday,
More Articles
