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 President Vladimir Putin referred to the issue of bio-economic development as he addressed the future technology forum on
March 02, 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the issue of bio-economic development as he addressed the future technology forum on
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the groundless criticism by the US at a press conference on February 25.
March 02, 2026
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the groundless criticism by the US at a press conference on February 25.
The Sangwon Cement Complex fulfilled its production plan for February. The complex made the employees engage in technical
March 02, 2026
The Sangwon Cement Complex fulfilled its production plan for February. The complex made the employees engage in technical
Foreign personages paid congratulatory visits to the DPRK missions in their countries on the occasion of the 84th birth
March 01, 2026
Foreign personages paid congratulatory visits to the DPRK missions in their countries on the occasion of the 84th birth
The 39th Science and Technology Festival of Kim Il Sung University took place from February 25 to 27. Presented to the festival on
March 01, 2026
The 39th Science and Technology Festival of Kim Il Sung University took place from February 25 to 27. Presented to the festival on
A Pyongyang municipal military-civilian meeting and a public procession for implementing the decisions of the Ninth Congress of
March 01, 2026
A Pyongyang municipal military-civilian meeting and a public procession for implementing the decisions of the Ninth Congress of
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
March 01, 2026
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
The 2026 National Winter Games closed at the ice hockey gymnasium in the Paektusan area sports village in the City of Samjiyon,
March 01, 2026
The 2026 National Winter Games closed at the ice hockey gymnasium in the Paektusan area sports village in the City of Samjiyon,
Medical workers are conducting dynamic outreach medical service activities in major sites of socialist construction. According to
March 01, 2026
Medical workers are conducting dynamic outreach medical service activities in major sites of socialist construction. According to
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
February 28, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
February 28, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The international community is strongly denouncing the US ambassador to Israel for his reckless remark that Israel has the right
February 28, 2026
The international community is strongly denouncing the US ambassador to Israel for his reckless remark that Israel has the right
The Slovak prime minister on February 21 warned that Slovakia would stop the power supply to Ukraine. Saying that Ukrainian
February 28, 2026
The Slovak prime minister on February 21 warned that Slovakia would stop the power supply to Ukraine. Saying that Ukrainian
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Pang Kum Sun, a centenarian living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 32,
February 28, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Pang Kum Sun, a centenarian living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 32,
Football coach wins World Cup Merited Athlete Pak Song Jin is a football coach of the April 25 Sports Team. He cut a conspicuous
February 28, 2026
Football coach wins World Cup Merited Athlete Pak Song Jin is a football coach of the April 25 Sports Team. He cut a conspicuous
Mugi Islet, located in Sonchon County of North Phyongan Province, is the place where white herons with yellow bills breed in
February 28, 2026
Mugi Islet, located in Sonchon County of North Phyongan Province, is the place where white herons with yellow bills breed in
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
February 27, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
February 27, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
With sustained efforts toward victory Pang Chol Mi, a boxer and People’s Athlete of the Kumgangsan Sports Team, was born into a
February 27, 2026
With sustained efforts toward victory Pang Chol Mi, a boxer and People’s Athlete of the Kumgangsan Sports Team, was born into a
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, referred to Russia-Japan relations at a press conference on February 20.He
February 27, 2026
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, referred to Russia-Japan relations at a press conference on February 20.He
More Articles
